In the news · April 2026

California's iconic trees are at far greater risk from climate change than official rankings show

A new study led by Blair McLaughlin finds that many of California's most recognizable trees — including blue oak, Joshua tree, and coast redwood — could lose more than half of their suitable habitat by 2055. Current conservation rankings significantly underestimate this risk because they don't fully account for climate change.

The research also documents the emergence of "zombie forests" — stands of adult trees that look healthy but can no longer produce seedlings in today's climate.

Read the UCSC press release →