U.S.HOT TAKE OR NOT

California's giant redwoods are struggling in the heat

A new study found that redwoods slow photosynthesis when temperatures rise, having evolved in California's cool, foggy climate—now facing their own existential thermostat crisis.

On air: Hank Ledger, Gloria Vance and Brock Thunderson on Best of BBN
Published 5:15 AM ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026

Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Gloria Vance and Brock Thunderson on this story, from Best of BBN at 5:15 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Wired's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Sequoia sempervirens — Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by Wired: “California’s Tallest and Most Iconic Trees Are Getting Heatstroke”.
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 5:15 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Hank Ledger, Gloria Vance and Brock Thunderson.
Topics: Southern California.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WiredCalifornia’s Tallest and Most Iconic Trees Are Getting Heatstroke

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWired reports that California's redwoods and giant sequoias slow their photosynthesis when the weather warms. They grew up in cool fog. Two takes, one thermometer.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGloria first.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHot take. These trees have stood three thousand years and survived everything. A little warmth, and they sulk. I've seen ambassadors do the same.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNot. Ambassadors sulk louder.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistHot take. The fog was the career. Take the fog away and the redwood is just a very tall tree with nothing to do.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHot. Painfully hot.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistThank you.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMy turn. Trees this old should get a desk fan and a pension. Nobody votes against shade.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat's the hottest yet.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore U.S. →

More Shorts

All videos →

Photo: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Popular instant noodles urgently pulled from shop shelvesRead the story
Photo: Noukayami · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ Short · U.S.Naruto Expands: New Anime, Manga Chapters, One ConsultantRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.Juventus Pays €12M for a Guy They Already HadAbout this segment
Photo: BullDawg2021 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Georgia projected No. 1 as Oregon and Florida slideRead the story
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Walmart AirPods 4 at $79 undercut Prime Big Deal DaysRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Our Source Is in a Parking Garage. Level Three.About this segment
Photo: Original: Leandro Ceruti from Rosta, Italia / Derivative… · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.How much it will cost Juventus to re-sign AdzicRead the story
▶ As it aired · U.S.Officer fired; consultant billed to explain whyRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.The actor who plays the toast in The Quiet ToasterAbout this segment
Photo: Tomascastelazo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Staffers allege Peltola used n-word in 2024; Houston ICE crash videoRead the story