Soil compaction problems from increased recreational loads in the State's redwood parks are causing increasing concern for the health of these unique forest giants. New highway construction, logging activities and periodic flooding through the groves can also cause conditions detrimental to the trees. Preliminary studies reported here indicate that radical root pruning and replacement of the compacted soil may be a practical method of revitalizing redwood trees after heavy recreational use.

Research was conducted in part with support provided by contract between California Department of Natural Resources, Division of Beaches and Parks and the Wildland Research Center, California Agricultural Experiment Station L. H. Lamouria, Associate Professor and Associate Agricultural Engineer, Experiment Station, University of California, Davis H. L. Brewer, Assistant Specialist, Department of Agricultural Engineering, U. C., Davis.