After a devastating fire in California’s Big Basin Redwoods State Park, concerns arose regarding recovering ancient redwood trees. Despite their thick bark designed to resist fire, the flames reached the crowns, burning all the needles and leaving scientists worried about their survival.
However, a recent study by tree ecophysiologists unveiled a surprising survival tactic by trees. Despite the fire destroying vital pine needles for photosynthesis, dormant buds beneath the bark sprouted weeks later, using sugars from photosynthesis decades ago for new growth. This discovery not only brings positive news about the recovery of the Big Basin’s ancient redwoods but also sheds light on the remarkable ability of these trees to tap into stored energy reserves to regenerate, even after severe damage from wildfires.