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 Patrick's Point State Park.  Do you think the whole park is old growth?