Over the summer I hiked the Pygmy Forest in Salt Point State Park in Gualala, California. On the south side of Gualala grow stands of miniature Bolander Pine, Bishop Pine, Mendocino Cypress and Redwood trees. These trees are stunted in stature due to the combination of highly-acidic, nutrient-free soil and rock layer that prevents drainage, root growth and subsequently overall tree growth. As I was exploring the terrain and looking more closely at the pygmy trees, the dietiti