The earliest redwoods showed up on Earth shortly after the dinosaurs – before flowers, birds, spiders… and, of course, humans. Redwoods have been around for about 240 million years2, and in California for at least 20 million years, compared to about 200,000 years for “modern” humans3.
Are redwoods older than dinosaurs?
As old as the dinosaurs — almost
Redwoods have been around for about 240 million years, compared to about 200,000 years for “modern” humans.
When was the first redwood tree discovered?
It was discovered by Hale D. Tharp in 1858. For two years previously he had used the meadows in the Giant Forest region as grazing land for his cattle. Shortly after its discovery, John Muir, the great lover of the out-of-doors, visited the grove with Tharp, explored it, and named it "Giant Forest."
