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THE REDWOOD IN THE OAKLAND HILLS. 
By Wrx1tram P. Gresons, M. D. 
The habitat of the Coast Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, 
extends from southern Oregon to near San Luis Obispo, 
California, a distance of some five hundred miles, more or 
less, and in the Coast Range proper. In the inner, or Mt. 
Diablo Range, it does not grow. The only exception to this 
rule is found just opposite to where the Coast Range proper 
is interrupted by the Golden Gate, or entrance to that inland 
sea called San Francisco Bay. At this point, the Oakland 
Hills, being exposed immediately to the influences of the sea- 
winds and fogs, bear—or at least once bore—a group of red- 
wood trees about five miles square. This group is entirely 
isolated from the great body of redwood forest by a distance 
of about twenty-five miles in either direction. This isolated 
group at one time included some of the most gigantic trees 
of the species. But for the sad havoe wrought there forty 
years ago by lumbermen and wood choppers, these Oakland 
Hills at the point indicated might still have presented one of 
the noblest natural parks conceivable. But in the days of 
the early settlement of California by the American people, 
large draughts were made upon this forest for building, and 
other mechanical purposes, as well as for firewood; and these 
processes went on until this isolated redwood forest was 
almost obliterated. But many smaller trees survive; and a 
goodly growth of young specimens have now for some years 
past been rehabilitating in a small way these once devastated 
slopes. 
A history of these sequoias must needs be introduced by 
some suggestions of the topography and soils of the region. 
An extensive plain lies to the west of the Oakland Hills, 
forming the valley of San Francisco Bay, which, on an 
average, is barely above high water mark. The soil of this 
plain is nearly homogeneous, and consists of what is 
commonly called adobe, the product of the decomposition of 
Erytuza. Vol. I, No. 8, [1 August, 1893]. 
