The Mighty Redwood

In the season 3 finale of Ted Lasso, during a meeting of the Diamond Dogs, the group is talking about the struggles of trying to be perfect. Coach Beard (who gave a history lesson to the team in the season opener on civil engineer Joseph Bazalgette’s efforts to put an end to London’s Great Stink of 1858) opines “perfection is all round us…everywhere we look…the mighty redwood.”

One of the main reasons these majestic trees are among the tallest and most long-lived organisms on the planet is their unique relationship with water. I am fortunate to have a stand of five of these magnificent trees in my Napa backyard (photo above) to observe first-hand their dual leaf strategy for optimal water absorption.

Redwood trees possess two distinct types of leaves: peripheral leaves and axial leaves. These two leaf structures work together harmoniously to maximize water absorption and minimize water loss. The peripheral leaves are the primary foliage of redwood trees, long and narrow, resembling the needles of coniferous trees. These leaves perform vital photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy. The axial leaves, also known as awl-like leaves, are primarily responsible for extracting moisture from the rain and dew that falls on the tree's canopy. Differences between the surfaces of axial and peripheral leaves, especially their wax coverage, cause the differences in their water absorption rates.

In addition to optimizing water absorption, redwood trees have evolved strategies to minimize water loss, particularly during dry periods. In a classic case of nature adapting to different environmental conditions, redwoods can change the location of their leaves depending on the climate. Along the coast, water absorbing leaves are found on the lower branches and sun-collecting leaves on the upper portion of the tree. In drier climates, the water-gathering leaves are at the top of the tree where they can capture more fog and rain.

With some specimens reaching staggering heights of over 350 feet and living for more than 2,000 years, the mighty redwood indeed!