Albino redwood trees lack chlorophyll due to a genetic mutation, which means they cannot perform photosynthesis—the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. Chlorophyll is essential for this process, as it captures light energy to produce food for the plant. Without chlorophyll, albino redwoods are unable to generate their own energy from sunlight.
As a result of this inability, albino redwoods must rely on other redwood trees for their energy. They do this through a parasitic relationship, often by tapping into the root systems or using specialized structures to extract nutrients and carbohydrates from the host trees. This adaptation allows them to survive in an environment where they cannot photosynthesize, making them dependent on their more typical, green-leaved relatives for sustenance.