Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-19
REDWOOD TRACT IS
GIVEN UNITED STATES
OLD SPANISH GRANT PRESENTED
PUBLIC
Trees, Many of Them 1900 Years old,
in Forest but Short Dis
lance from San Fran
cisco

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1s.-William Kent
of Kentfeld Cal, has decided to the
United States a tract of land of 295 acres
of natural redwood forest on the south
ern slope of Mt. Tamalpais, about six
miles from San Francisco.
The land was decided to the govern
ment with the approval of Forester Gift
ford Pinchot, chief of the United States
forest service.
The papers have now gone to the sec
rotary of the interior and a proclamation
declaring the canyon a national monu-
ment will be signed at an early date.
1t is the intention to name the monu-
ment Muir Woods" after John Muir,
the noted naturalist. The giants of Red
wood canyon will now be given per-
manent protection by virtue of the act
of June s, 1906, which provides that OBJ
iects OF scientific interest may be de-
clared national monuments If such action
Is deemed necessary for their preserva-
ton and protection.
This 295-acre tract will be a pleasure
ground as well as a place for scientinc
study for the people practically of the
whole of California, for within a radius
of ffty-two miles of the canyon two
thirds of the population of the entire
state are centered.
Old Spanish Grant
Originally this land was a part OF the
old Spanish grant, Rancho Sausalito.
Mr.. Kent purchased the land some years
ago for a sum said to be about $4,000.
To insure the preservation of the red
woods for the instruction and enjoyment
for years to come he has now decided
the tract to the United States as gift.
The largest redwoods are eighteen feet
in diameter at the butt and will approach
three hundred feet in height, rising with
perfectly straight and clean stems.
AS none of the big trees have been cut
their age is somewhat problematical, but
1t is safe to say that the veterans have
stood from 1000 to 1900 years
The total stand of redwood, roughly
estimated, is about 100000 feet, with
some 100000 feet of fir and a consid-
cradle amount of tan bark oak. The red
wood alone, at a fair valuation, has
market price of $4,000 as it stands.
Covered with Dense Growth
Bxcept for a narrow strip of brush
along the east border and fringe along
the southwest line the whole canyon is
covered with a dense forest growth. The
stand Is heaviest along the creek and on
the lower slopes, becoming poorer ABOVE.
Redwood is the dominating tree, tower
ing high above everything else ana FORM
ing fully three-quarters of the whoie
fores.. Douglas fir is next in Importance,
and scattered over the entire tract are
All the various hardwoods common to the
region, chief among which are the oaks
madrone, alder. maple and mountain
laurel. all of which form kind OF dwarf
underwood to the lofty redwood ana Ut:
The redwood occurs both in big ana
small groups and by single trees, While
tic other species are sprinkled through
out
oil ic uylai
into San Francisco bay, were cut clean
wears ago and the redwood obtained from
them went into the construction of the
old San Francisco.
THE glartss on the tract to be known
as Muir Woods escaped the AK, however,
chiefly because the outlet As on the ocean
side instead of the bay side, and also
because the various owners OF land nave,
for sentimental reasons, jealousy guard
cd the timber from harm or destruction
Modern methods of logging would make
short work of the timber and would,
besides, put handsome profit In the
hands of the owners.
Trees in Danger
so long as the land remained in private
ownership there was always danger the
trees would be attacked and Mr. Kent
feared this. but as a national monument
they will be safe for all time. There
are. of course many finer stands of red
wood in California, but there are none
owned by the United States. nor are
there any which might be acquired by
The government except at great expense.
The chief reason for the permanent
protection of the land by the government
is that there is no other redwood grove
in the whole world more accessible to
80 many people. The canyon is in alb
,soluteIy primeval condition, not SO much
as scratched by hands of man, 1t lies
within an hours ride of San Francisco,
At the very doors Of hundreds Of thou
sands Of people.
The destruction of redwood by lumber
ing has been so rapid In the last oecaoe
tha+ a Is now only a question of years
chen the original growth will have