The Redwood Trail is the latest addition to a network of more than 5 miles of hiking trails and roads throughout the Hopkins Demonstration Forest in Beavercreek. The Redwood Trail is located in the forest’s Uneven Age Management Area and winds through a grove of coastal redwood trees planted more than 12 years ago and growing in the shade of larger Douglas-fir neighbors.
According to FFI Board member, Mike Bondi, “The Uneven Age represents a forest management technique that removes larger and taller trees while creating room for the younger and smaller trees to receive more light and grow bigger.”
Coastal redwood was used as an understory forest tree to plant since it can easily grow in the shade of larger trees. Also, it is a very fast grower. Many of the redwood are now 6 to 8 inches in diameter.
The 1,500-foot trail is a short loop beginning inside the gate next to the Uneven Age Management Area’s information kiosk located in the southwest corner of the Hopkins Demonstration Forest on Grouse Hollow Road. Interpretive signage is planned for the coming year.
