Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-03-05
Redwood Canyon Decided to the
United States.
FINE STAND OF GIANT TIMBER
Natural Forest Of Redwoods Will Be
Named Muir Woods, After the Noted
NaturaIist-Superb Pleasure Ground
For Tourists-The Big Trees Not Cut

Of Mount Tamalpais, about six miles
from the city of San Francisco, a a
Washington dispatch. The land was
decided to the government with the ap-
prevail Of Forester Clifford Pinchot,
chief Of the United States forest serv-
Ice. The papers have now gone to the
secretary of the interior, and a procla-
nation declaring the canyon a national
monument will be signed at an early
date.
This means that more Of California's
redwood giants will be saved for the
scientific study and pleasure of the
whole country-in fact, the whole
world-for the great sequoias are only
found in the Golden State. This grove
given to the government by Mr.. Kent
is one Of the only tracts of redwood
forests to be found in their natural state
in California today. The land is said
to have cost Mr.. Kent $4,000 some
years ago, but it's stand of redwood tim
Der alone is now valued at more than
$15O,0O0 on the market.
The canyons Of Tamalpais, which
drain into San Francisco bay, were cut
clean years ago, and the redwood OBJ
tanned from them went into the con-
struction of the old San Francisco.
The giants on the tract to be known as
Muir woods" escaped the ak. however.
chiefly because the outlet is on the
ocean side instead of the bay side and
also because the various owners Of the
land have for sentimental reasons jeal-
ously guarded the timber from harm or
destruction. Modern methods of log
gfng would make short work of the tim
Der and would, besides, put a handsome
profit in the hands of the owners.
1t is the intention to name the ma
tional monument Muir woods, after
John Muir, the noted naturalist. The
giants Of Redwood canyon will now be
given permanent protection by virtue
Of the act of June 8, 1905, which pro-
vides that objects of scientific interest
may be declared national monuments
If such action is deemed necessary for
their preservation and protection. This
295 acre tract will be a pleasure ground
as we'll as a place for scientific study
for the people practically of the whole
Of California, for within a radius Of
ffty-two miles on the canyon two
thirds Of the population of the entire
state are centered.
The chief reason for the permanent
protection of the land by the govern
ment is that there is no other redwood
grove in the whole world more accessi-
BILE to so many people. The canyon is
in absolutely primeval condition, not
so much as scratched by the hands Of
man. 1t lies within an hours ride Of
San Francisco, at the very doors Of
hundreds of thousands Of people.
So long as the land remains in pri-
vate ownership there is always danger
that the trees will 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 redwood In California, but
there are no typical groves owned by
the United States, nor are there any
which might be acquired by the gov
eminent except at great expense.
Originally this land was part of the
old Spanish grant. Rancho Sausalito.
The largest redwoods are eighteen feet
in diameter at the butt and will ap-
proach 300 feet in height, rising with
perfectly straight and clean stems. AS
none OF the big trees have been cut.
their age is, Of course. somewhat prob
lematical, but it is safe to say that the
veterans have stood from a thousand
to fifteen hundred years.
The total stand of redwood, roughly
estimated. is about 100000 feet,
with some 100000 feet of fir and a
very considerable amount Of tanbark
oak. The redwood alone, at q fair val
uation, has a market value Of $15O,OOO
as it stands. Except for a narrow
strip Of brush along the east border
and a 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. tow
ering high above everything else and
forming fully th%ree-fourths of the
whole forest. Douglas fir is next in i'm
p%ortance, and scattered over the entire
tract are all the various hard woods
common to the region. chief among
which are the numerous oaks. ma
drone, alder. maple and mountain lau-
rel, all Of which form a kind Of dwarf
underwood to the lofty redwood and
fir. The redwood occurs both in big
and small groups and by single trees,
while the other species are sprinkled
throughout.
The destruction Of redwood by lum-
bering has been so rapid In the last
decade that it is now only a question
Of years when the original growth will
have wholly disappeared. Its extraor-
binary scientific and educational value,
along with the fact that it is a pleas
= ground for all Of the people who
live In or visit this part Of California,
makes the wood an ideal national mon
urnent-