Sequoia is one of the largest trees on our planet. In the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, it was common in Europe and Asia, but now it is preserved only in the mountains of California and South Oregon. These are relict plants of the preglacial period; they can be called living fossils.
Features
The giant sequoia (sequoiadendron, mammoth tree), named after the Iroquois leader, was completely unknown to Europeans until 1850. The grove of these gigantic trees was accidentally discovered by the Englishman Lobb.
Indians call sequoias "fathers of the forest." This makes sense, since the described trees not only reach a height of 100-120 m, but also live an amazingly long time. According to the annual rings on the oldest of them, it was found that they can reach the age of up to 3000 years.
The giant sequoia belongs to the Taxodiev family (gymnosperms). This is a coniferous tree with a lush crown. Although beautiful and dense wood is very much appreciated, the possibilities of its use in the economy are small due to the extremely small number of sequoias. But it is used for decorative purposes. Landings of these giants can be found in Transcaucasia and on the southern coast of Crimea.
Sequoia or sequoiadendron?
Although these trees are very similar, there are differences between them.
Sequoias grow in northern California in a narrow coastal strip. A humid climate with constant fog is favorable for them. A giant sequoia is found on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada ridge (at altitudes of 1.5-2 km). Sequoiadendron cones cannot open when damp. Dry and hot weather is necessary for rashing seeds.
Forest fires, dangerous for all living things, for these trees can play the role of a catalyst for reproduction and growth. Cones from the heat open, and the seeds fall on the soil, already free from weeds. Mature trees with their powerful bark from fire do not suffer as much as other plants. And the trunk of an old giant sequoia can contain up to 8,000 liters of water.
These giants are striking in their heights. They argue with some species of eucalyptus for the title of tallest trees. Sequoiadendrons do not reach a hundred-meter height a little, but they tremble with their thickness reaching more than 10 m. It is not without reason that they are called giant.
For example, the General Sherman sequoia has a trunk girth of more than 35 m. To drive a round dance around such a giant, more than 25 people would be needed! This tree is considered the largest in the world since 1931.
Giant sequoias are centenarians. At the beginning of the 20th century they were cut down because of valuable wood. From the tree rings on the stumps, the age of the trees was determined. It turned out that some of them lived for about 3 thousand years! They grew already when the Egyptians had just begun the construction of the famous pyramids.
Giant sequoias have an extremely ramified and powerful root system. The bark contains substances that repel bark beetles and other pests. They also have chemical protection against fungi and lichens.
General Sherman's Tree
Sequoia National Park was created in California (USA). Its main part is the "Forest of Giants" - a grove of the largest trees on the planet. Almost every instance has its own name. Among them, the most famous tree is General Sherman. It is just amazing. Sequoia "General Sherman" - the largest tree in the world. It is believed that his age is 2300-2700 years. The height is not maximum for trees - “only” 84 m. But the giant’s volume, which is almost 1,500 cubic meters, and a mass of about 2,500 tons make it the largest living creature on the planet.
And this is not the limit, because sequoias grow throughout life. And they die not so much from old age as from their gigantic proportions. There comes a time when the tree trunk can no longer hold a huge weight. It just breaks. And "General Sherman" continues to grow, increasing its diameter every year by at least one and a half centimeters. Currently it is over 11.1 m!
Such a grand tree attracts the exceptional attention of tourists. Sequoia National Park is visited by tens of thousands of people every year who want to see this wonder of the world, take a picture next to it.
Named after the hero
General Sherman, after whom the tree is named, is a national hero of the United States. During the Civil War, he was even more popular than General Grant. The most famous operation under the leadership of Sherman was the struggle for Atlanta, after which he accepted the surrender of the army of southerners led by Johnston. In 1869, the general succeeded Grant as commander in chief of the United States.
In 1879, naturalist James Walverton, who served in the Sherman’s army during the Civil War, named the colossal tree by the name of his beloved commander.
By the way, the second largest in the world is considered the sequoia "General Grant".
Park Attractions
In addition to the "Giant Forest", tourists are attracted by a tunnel-log. In 1937, a giant sequoia fell across the road in the park, blocking the path for cars. To rediscover the path, the park workers were forced to carve out a tunnel in it with a width of more than 5 m and a height of almost 2.5 m. They decided not to clean the tree, and it became one of the main attractions.
In the center of the park there is a granite hill Moro Rock, to the top of which there is a staircase. A magnificent view of the whole "Forest of Giants" opens from above. They are also attracted by numerous caves. True, all of them are closed for visiting, except for one.
The beautiful park and its gigantic trees are now in danger. California's ongoing drought in recent years has caused numerous fires that even the most powerful sequoias cannot resist. And the lack of moisture in the soil makes it difficult for young shoots to appear. Unfortunately, these centenarians may disappear from the face of the Earth.