There is far more to Redwood National Park than its spectacular trees. Redwoods develop the greatest reported volume of living matter per unit of land surface. The giant sequoias, cousins to the coast redwoods, grow larger in diameter and bulk, but not as tall. Coast redwoods survive to be about 2,000 years old perhaps half the age of giant sequoias and average probably 500-700 years. The living tree has no known killing diseases, and the insects associated with it cause no significant damage.
Fire is the worst natural foe, but usually to young trees which lack the thick bark protection.
As with most conifers, redwoods lack a taproot, and their broad shallow root system sometimes provides inadequate support for the massive trunk. Wind topples many mature trees. The first record of the redwood was written by Fray Juan Crespi in 1769. Its botanical discoverer was Archibald Menzies, whose collections are dated 1794. Prolific Producers Cones form on the tips of upper branches.