Grieg-French-Bell Grove - Humboldt Redwoods

Avenue of the Giants - Along Hy. 254

by Mario Vaden

6/10 mile approximately ... See The Location

Greig, French, Bell Grove is along the north end of Avenue of the Giants, with an appreciable turnout of ample parking. This is more of a grove and loop than a hike. Its not very well-known which is surprising considering the awe it can instill in some visitors. A mix of old growth and smaller Coast Redwoods with some other species. The beauty and wonder of the redwood sorrel carpeting the ground is so striking, it's easy to have attention taken away from trunk sizes altogether. The little rolling hill mounds of sorrel have few equals if any in the redwood parks. Along the loop stands a redwood that was partially de-barked in 1901 for an info booth at one Epworth League convention. There should be an interpretive sign.

Actor Brad Pitt was photographed at Avenue of the Giants in 2014 laying on Redwood Sorrel at the spot shown below in the first image. Most visitors ... surprisingly ... constrain their activity to the foot paths, sparing the pristine look of the vegetation. This is one of my recommendations for a small redwood wedding location if the parks will approve.

The 2nd photo is added to show an example of reiteration to Bay Laurel. When most trees loose a top, or lean severely, the apical dominance is lost. There's a hormone in the tip that moves downward supressing buds. And removal of the top or loss of a top in that apical position results in diminished auxin. After, various sprouts appear, often growing more straight, and over time will replace the role of the leader again. The same happens to coast redwoods that loose tops.

Top image: the first photo represents the look of the grove. Bottom image: a local resident sitting on a leaning Bay Laurel (Pepperwood), sprouting new stems (reiterations).

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