Old-growth Sitka spruce
in the Octopus Trees Grove

Photo by Jim Popenoe

The Octopus Trees Grove was one of the few remaining old-growth Sitka spruce stands in California.  Old-growth redwood is much more common.

According to Professor Jerry Franklin and other forestry experts, an old-growth forest isn't just old.  It has other several special characteristics:

• Dominance by widely spaced, large trees
• Presence of seedlings, saplings and trees of many ages
• Presence of standing dead trees
• Presence of downed logs

Consider these characteristics in the Octopus Trees Grove and compare the grove to what you see elsewhere in Sue-meg State Park.  Do you think the whole park is old growth?