We checked out a coastal eco system that culminated in a stunted version of the coastal forests. There are only a couple of these systems in the world. They are created when shoreline plateaus are thrust up by plate action but stay flat instead or tipping to create mountain ridges. That rarely happens but when it does, it creates these unique terraces that include one with very poor soil with a hardpan close to the surface so what can grows is very stunted. The result, a ¼” diameter, 8 ft tall mature tree that is 100 years old. Weird and kind of amazing in its contrast to all else around it.
We found a cool looking garter snake that day too.