Muir Woods, located just 15 miles from the city of San Fransisco, is the world's only monument for trees. These trees are amongst the oldest trees in the world and they thrive in a sensitive ecosystem that is perhaps more thrilling and mystical than one can imagine.
On an average the Muir Woods is visited by around 5000 everyday, even while holidays and weekends see almost twice this number.
From a historical perspective Muir Woods is equally interesting. After the formation of the United Nations member countries descended on Muir Woods and avowed their commitment to mankind.
Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the forest is regularly shrouded in a coastal marine layer fog, contributing to a wet environment that encourages vigorous plant growth. The fog is also vital for the growth of the redwoods as they use moisture from the fog during the dry summer.
By the early 20th century, most of these forests had been cut down. Just north of the San Francisco Bay, one valley named Redwood Canyon remained uncut, mainly due to its relative inaccessibility.
This was noticed by U.S. Congressman William Kent. He and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, purchased 611 acres (247 ha) of land from the Tamalpais Land and Water Company for $45,000 with the goal of protecting the redwoods and the mountain above them.
In the spring of 1945, delegates from 50 countries met in San Francisco to draft and sign the United Nations Charter. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, shortly before he was to have opened the United Nations Conference. On May 19, the delegates held a commemorative ceremony in tribute to his memory in Muir Woods' Cathedral Grove, where a dedication plaque was placed in his honor.
Most of the redwoods in the Monument are between 500 and 800 years old. The oldest is at least 1,200 years old.Muir Woods is not just a place to gaze in awe at giant redwoods. Visitors who aren’t completely mesmerized by the forest giants can look more carefully and see that Muir Woods is populated by hundreds of other interesting species. Not all of these species are trees, either. In fact, some aren’t even plants.
On an average the Muir Woods is visited by around 5000 everyday, even while holidays and weekends see almost twice this number.
From a historical perspective Muir Woods is equally interesting. After the formation of the United Nations member countries descended on Muir Woods and avowed their commitment to mankind.
Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the forest is regularly shrouded in a coastal marine layer fog, contributing to a wet environment that encourages vigorous plant growth. The fog is also vital for the growth of the redwoods as they use moisture from the fog during the dry summer.
By the early 20th century, most of these forests had been cut down. Just north of the San Francisco Bay, one valley named Redwood Canyon remained uncut, mainly due to its relative inaccessibility.
This was noticed by U.S. Congressman William Kent. He and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, purchased 611 acres (247 ha) of land from the Tamalpais Land and Water Company for $45,000 with the goal of protecting the redwoods and the mountain above them.
In the spring of 1945, delegates from 50 countries met in San Francisco to draft and sign the United Nations Charter. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, shortly before he was to have opened the United Nations Conference. On May 19, the delegates held a commemorative ceremony in tribute to his memory in Muir Woods' Cathedral Grove, where a dedication plaque was placed in his honor.
Most of the redwoods in the Monument are between 500 and 800 years old. The oldest is at least 1,200 years old.Muir Woods is not just a place to gaze in awe at giant redwoods. Visitors who aren’t completely mesmerized by the forest giants can look more carefully and see that Muir Woods is populated by hundreds of other interesting species. Not all of these species are trees, either. In fact, some aren’t even plants.
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