hey! this is the first time i’ve ever posted anything on a message board but i don’t know where else to find the answer to my question. i am trying to find out whether or not the redwood national forest in northern california is the largest living life form in the world. i heard that not only are the trees huge but the root systems had somehow combined to form one living structure from the entire forest!! i can’t imagine the energy in a place like that and i would love to take a trip up there if that’s the case. it may be another forest but from what i can recall it’s that particular redwood forest. i fanyone knows anything i would more than appreciate some info-thanks! kristina
I don’t know the answer, but it’s Redwood National Park. There isn’t a Redwood National Forest as far as I can tell.
I don’t know about the root system, but at the site of the Redwood National Park they say that the Redwood is one of the tallest trees. When I was much younger I had a chance to visit both the Redwood National Park and the Sequoia National Park. Both are very impressive and you would not be disappointed with either, irregardless of how their roots grow. Since you say something about traveling “up” there I am assuming you are in southern California. GO FOR IT! or JUST DO IT!
The largest single tree in the world (by volume) is the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park.
The largest single organism may be either an underground fungus in Washington or a grove of aspen in Utah.
Some previous threads on these subjects:
General Sherman http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=5538
Largest organism in surface area? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=27885
Gigantic Fungus Question http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=57481