Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
| Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve | |
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One of the park's redwoods, the Icicle Tree
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| Location | Sonoma County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Guerneville, California |
| Coordinates | 38°32′17″N 123°0′36″W / 38.53806°N 123.01000°WCoordinates: 38°32′17″N 123°0′36″W / 38.53806°N 123.01000°W |
| Area | 752 acres (304 ha) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is a state park of California in the United States established to preserve 805 acres (326 ha) of coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). The reserve is located in Sonoma County, just north of Guerneville.
The reserve is in a temperate rainforest. The climate is mild and wet. The park receives an average of 55 inches (1.4 m) of rainfall per year, almost all between September and June. Abundant fog during the summer months helps to maintain the moist conditions required by the coast redwoods.
The Parson Jones Tree is the tallest tree in the grove, measuring more than 310 feet (94 m) in height. This is longer than the length of a football field. It is about 0.058-mile (93 m) walk from the park entrance.
The Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 1400 years old. It is named after a lumberman who chose to preserve this portion of the park in the 1870s. It is a 0.5-mile (800 m) walk from the park entrance
The Icicle Tree shows the unusual burl formations often found on redwood trees. Burls can weigh many tons and grow hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Why these growths occur remains a mystery.
The reserve includes a visitor center, outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. Although no camping is available in the redwood grove, there is a campground at Austin Creek State Recreation Area, which is adjacent to the park. Austin Creek is accessed through the same entrance as Armstrong Redwoods and its rolling hills, open grasslands, conifers, and oaks are a contrast to the dense canopy of the redwood grove.
The Discovery Trail offers a wheelchair accessible pathway, interpretive panels in Braille, and tree hugging platforms. The Armstrong Nature Trail is an easy stroll through the grove and is also wheelchair accessible. Guides are available at the visitor center.
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Wikipedia