The Maps

In April 2014, I found online the 1881 Tenth Census of the U.S. Forests, "Distribution of Redwood Forests."

 

Left: Zoomed-in area of the 1881 map designating a brown shaded are of Contra Costa's Redwood Forest as 'already harvested.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: Overlay of 1881 map's shaded area on top of today's satellite photo.

 

The positioning I made using photoshop is approximate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In August, 2015, I found online the revised 1884 Tenth Census of the United States, Distribution of the Genera Thuya, Taxodium and Sequoia in North America, (left).

 

The 1881 and 1884 maps were drawn based on oral history, because this Lost Eden's Central California Forest was already harvested (including the inground tree stumps) between 1830 and 1853.

 

 

In this 1884 Survey Map the darker green area along the California coast represents the original old growth distribution area of Coast Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, prior to harvesting, stretching approximately 60 miles inland.

 

 

A the beginning of this webpage, I overlaid a few photos of the different patterns of skid trails, skid roads and remnant tree stump holes I have found* all over the east bay (in practically every city), that were etched into the ground from the harvesting of these forest trees between 1830-1853.

 

The age of these patterns are approx 86 to 109 years old (1939 minus 1853 and 1830). The soil has additionally recorded livestock, crop and nut and fruit tree farming activity, but the original patterns of forest harvesting are the dominant feature of the landscape. I explain more below.

 

 

 

The 3rd map from 2003, below left, tells us that the East Bay was not the only location of this "Bygone Forest" as I call it. The grey area tells us the extent of this larger story to the north and to the south of the East Bay.

 

In April 2016, I found inside "Google Earth" software's "Historical Imagery" function these 1939 photos that, when you zoom in, show us PATTERNS which pinpoint the locations of groves of trees, the approximate number of trees and their sizes based on the size of the stump holes that were black powder blasted out of the ground.

 

 

I am currently trying to figure out which species of tree matches each of the 5 Patterns.

Coast Redwood, Doug Fir, Pine, Cedar, Spruce, and other Conifers. Specifically observable are:

 

1) skid trails/roads (10-15-20-30 feet wide), gouged into the soil from the size/weight of the trunks, pulled by animals in what was surely moist or muddy conditions at time of harvest, regardless of the season. Visit a redwood forest at the peak of summer - the 12+ inch layer of rotting vegetation rests on top of wet clay soil and/or sandstone.

 

2) stump holes (round white cirles or nodes appearing along and at the ends of the skid trails.

 

These mixed evergreen redwood forests, the U.S. Forest Service tells me, were not continuous pure stands, but a series of groves and these photos outline the details very clearly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do I want to see happen from this re-discovery?

1) Our scientists need to confirm these facts, and then...

2) Our textbooks need updating

3) Our Geographical Heritage & Historical Identity should be re-defined by these trees' ages & heights which were thousands of years old and over 300 feet tall. The Coast Redwood remains the largest single bodied living thing on Earth.

 

4) I'd like the Federal Government to officially recognize the East Bay native American tribe we call Chochenyo Costanoans (also known as Ohlone tribe).

 

5) Our East Bay Parks should do more to replicate what our forests looked like. The north portion of Wildcat Canyon's hills and valleys remain barren today, but which should be reforested, because this area, like Canyon and Oakland's Pinehurst, Skyline, Redwood Rd area, was the center of this forest.

 

The Articles section, at left, lists different topics I have researched in my attempt to prove my theory.

 

When you're driving around the Bay Area, and you happen to see barren hilltops, slopes, & valleys with nothing growing on them except weeds, ask yourself these two quesions:

 

1) Why is nothing growing here while while nearby lush growths of Oaks and other bushes and trees exist?" ? In other words, why is the soil sterile or otherwise not allowing anything but weeds to grow?

 

Answer: Once established forest trees are removed, the sun, rain, & exposure to winds results in the rich topsoil, varying from 6 to 24 inches in depth, to wash away & dry up due to mudslides and/or mudflows, especially the two seasons 1861-1862 and 1889-1890, each of which experinced nearly 50 inches of rain.

 

2) Ever wonder why all trees in the East Bay today are no more than 2019 minus 1853 (approx 166) years old? Why are there only a handful of Oak trees that are around 400 years old, like on Diablo Rd in Danville.

 

Answer: The need for firewood resulte din the harvesting every part of the trees, including the stumps for artisan burlwood. These and other questions I answer to the best of my ability based on these 5 years of research and reading hundreds of sources. It's been and continues to be a very interesting adventure.

 

I invite you to engage in this conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/redwoods.contracosta/ (Bygone Redwoods of CCC)