Cathedral Grove

Visitors complete the loop around Cathedral Grove.

Alison Taggart-Barone

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Scenic View/Photo Spot

Cathedral Grove is a silent preserve and home to the tallest, oldest redwoods at Muir Woods. Consider quiet contemplation as you make your way through this part of the woods.

Dude, That's a Big Tree

Everyone knows redwood trees are awesome, but have you ever asked yourself what accounts for their quantifiable awesome-ness? Consider if you will, the following...

For openers, coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) can have a base width of 22 feet and grow to a height of 380 feet. They are the tallest living things on Earth! When they start out, they are just little guys. Redwood cones are less than an inch across, with seeds no bigger than a tomato's. Exactly why the redwoods grow so tall is a mystery. Theories continue to develop, but proof remains elusive.

I've Got All My Sisters with Me: Redwood Roots

Aside from logging, the most frequent cause of death for mature redwoods is windfall, because redwood roots only grow 10 to 13 feet below the ground. The roots spread outward 60 to 80 feet and interlace with those of their nearby tree friends. Individually, they are unable to support themselves, but together, they are strong enough to hold each other up.