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Seasonal Leaf Drop
Redwoods naturally shed their older leaves each fall in a quiet but important process. You may notice needles turning golden brown and drifting down in showers that carpet the forest floor. This is not a sign of trouble, this leaf drop is part of their annual rhythm.
By letting go of older growth, redwoods conserve energy and channel resources into new growth and root systems, preparing for the cooler months ahead.
Environmental Cues
Though redwoods tower above us, they are finely attuned to their environment. As the days grow shorter, these giants slow their metabolic processes, conserving energy just as many animals do to prepare for winter. When temperatures drop, they enter a kind of seasonal rest.
Water is life for redwoods and shifts in rainfall shape their response. During drought years, they may shed more leaves than usual, a strategy that helps them conserve resources and survive challenging conditions.
Colorful Companions
Redwoods stay green year-round, but their neighbors mark the changes in season with more dramatic flair. Bigleaf maples erupt in bursts of yellow and orange, while black oaks glow with amber leaves. Together, these species create a colorful backdrop to the steady green of redwoods, reminding us of the diversity and beauty that make redwood forests so extraordinary.
Forest Floor Enrichment
When redwoods release their needles, they give back to the forest in another way. A thick carpet of fallen foliage slowly breaks down into rich, organic matter, feeding the soil that sustains new growth.
This natural recycling process also helps the soil hold water and creates shelter for countless small creatures. If you look closely, you might spot banana slugs gliding among the needles. These colorful forest caretakers play their own part in keeping the ecosystem healthy.
In all these ways, redwoods remind us that resilience does not mean standing tall, it means adapting. They survive not only because they are tall and strong, but because they are sensitive, responsive and deeply connected to the web of life around them.
Each fall, as the light softens and the air cools, rest assured that redwoods are standing tall and resilient, readying themselves for whatever comes their way.
👉 You can learn more about redwoods, including our favorite facts, here.
👉 Find our favorite fall (and winter) hikes here.
👉 And if you like to hear the experts share insights into the superpowers of redwoods, join us for our monthly webinar series, Under the Redwoods.