Muir Woods National Monument, California, USA

Into the woods

These spectacular redwoods are an important part of the forest ecosystem here in Muir Woods National Monument, in California, USA. They absorb moisture from fog, which then drips into the ground, supporting the trees as well as other forest life.

This protected area, named after the environmentalist John Muir, is well known for its old-growth coastal redwood forests. The redwoods are between 600 and 800 years old on average, although the oldest has racked up at least 1,200 years. The tallest redwood here is about 258ft but head further north and you can see redwoods reaching as high as 379ft.