In the heart of this untouched wilderness, in Shady Dell forest in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, there is a small but rather bizarre-looking hillside grove of some impressively reiterated old-growth redwoods that are shaped like candelabras. Just a few feet off the ground, the trees seem to have been split into a dozen trunks, each reaching to the sky like huge candleholders.

Whereas redwoods typically grow straight up, the unique shape of these trees is due to stressors – strong winds and salty air above all – causing them to have sprouted branches near the ground. Then when conditions improved, the branches grew straight up, becoming secondary (reiterated) trunks.

Image credit: Redwood Hikes

The grove also has some smaller redwoods, but all the big redwoods are extensively reiterated, and there aren’t any signs of logging. In fact, it’s likely that the twisted trees survive today because they wouldn’t make very good lumber.

The medieval “Enchanted Forest” as it’s known by locals, is important for forest science. “We know that these gnarly branches and these strangely shaped trees create needed habitat for wildlife,” said Emily Burns, PhD, the League’s Director of Science. “We have a lot to learn from these trees. Their development offers clues into how the environment shapes redwood forests.”

Image credit: Redwood Hikes

Apart from the candelabra-shaped coast redwoods, Shady Dell’s diverse ecosystem includes a rich array of other plants and wildlife such as salmon, black bears, Roosevelt elk and mountain lions, as well as some unique flowers called “mycotrophs” which, unlike green plants, depend on fungi for food.

The redwood grove can be accessed via the 2.3-mile-long Peter Douglas Trail, created in 2016.