The rare Albino Tree stands more than 20 feet, tucked in a forest approx. 3 miles north of Redcrest in Humboldt County. It is named "albino" for its white pine needles, something you rarely see in nature.

This Spirit Tree, as some call it, sprouts from the base of a giant redwood in grove less than an hour's drive south of Eureka.

There are less than a two dozen (24) albino redwoods in existence and to see one is considered good luck, according to an Indian legend, we've been told. The rare white-colored redwood grows by tapping into the roots of a nearby redwood tree for sustenance. It lacks chlorophyll, the green substance that allows plants to convert sunlight into food, so its needles never turn green.

The unique "white tree" mutation is recorded in Native American legends such as Pomo Indian traditions, according to a historian who found reference to this unique conifer and its use in cleansing ceremonies.

Six of these rare "forest ghosts" live in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. You may think of them as Ghosts of Christmas Past (from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.) Indeed, if the trees in these redwood forests could speak they would be the longest living historians.

Typical redwoods use sunlight so efficiently (3-4 times more than pines) that they can grow even in deep shade, and they usually grow beautiful green needles.


Amidst a 450-mile stretch of Pacific Coast beginning in southern Oregon not far from Humboldt County, and ending just south of Monterey, California, visitors can look at the oldest verified redwood trees dated to at least 2,200 years of age (foresters believe that some may be much older.) The coast redwoods of Humboldt County are the tallest living species on Earth, often reaching heights of 300 to 350 feet. Standing six stories taller than the Statue of Liberty, a coastal redwood tree, Hyperion, in northern Humboldt County's Redwood National Park, was recently measured at 378.1 feet!

The dazzling forests of Humboldt County offer many unique, one-of-a-kind trees to see, with two of the rare albino redwoods located near the Avenue of the Giants. This 30-mile stretch of old Highway 101 that cuts through Humboldt Redwoods State Park is home to the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world. For more information about visiting Humboldt County where these trees are located, and to learn about fantastic Victorian buildings, hotels, bed and breakfast inns, historic museums, art, shopping and superb dining, contact Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1034 2nd Street, Eureka CA 95501. Tel: (800) 346-3482. redwoods.info

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