California’s Tallest and Most Iconic Trees Are Getting Heatstroke

A new study has found that California's tallest and most iconic redwood trees slow down photosynthesis when their environment warms, a phenomenon that could have significant implications for the health and survival of these trees in a changing climate. The study, which focused on the giant coastal redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) of Northern California, discovered that when the trees experience temperatures above 77°F (25°C), their photosynthetic rates decrease, causing them to absorb less carbon dioxide and produce less oxygen. This adaptation is likely a response to the trees' evolutionary history, as they have adapted to a cool, foggy climate.