The commercial redwood forests tend to be different in nature from the parklands. The other major difference between the two types of forests is that today's commercial forests are predominantly young growth. These are privately-owned lands where redwood mills and tree farmers have planted and grown redwood trees specifically to be harvested. 5 Trees over 200 years old are usually considered old growth. Land that can sustain and nurture redwood trees is extremely valuable and the private owners take good care of this resource.
State law requires it and good business practice dictates it.
The species' own tenacity probably does even more to regenerate the redwood forest than the planting of seedlings. Redwood is the only softwood in the country that sprouts from stumps. These new young trees grow quickly, thriving on the existing, mature root system. In some areas, early pioneers were actually unable to clear redwood forests to make pasture land. The trees kept returning in spite of all their efforts.