The giant sequoia naturally occurs only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. One more reason you have to visit California!
The giant sequoia is the largest living thing by volume: nothing can match the immense size of a sequoia.
The tree is naturally resistant to fire: even when a sequoia catches on fire (generally due to a lightning strike), the natural tannin in the wood will cause the fire to burn itself out.
Though logging was tried in the 1800s, it was found that when the sequoias fell, the wood often shattered, leaving only small pieces as harvestable lumber. Eventually, logging stopped because it just wasn’t worth it.
Sequoias are naturally disease resistant as well, and live for hundreds and hundreds of years.
The greatest danger to sequoias, we’ve found, is that these giants sometimes lose their balance … and topple over. Falling down is the biggest cause of sequoia deaths in nature.
Therefore, the sequoias grow in groups. There are 68 naturally occurring groves of sequoia, and as the trees grow together, they interlock their roots. By grouping together, you see, they help to keep each other standing up, facing each day, come what may.
And that’s the lesson: you won’t fall over if you gather in a group and stay firmly rooted.
Together.
The only Sequoia grove complex managed by the Bureau of Land Management is on California’s Case Mountain, approximately 7½ miles southeast of the town of Three Rivers, California. The complex is comprised of six distinct sequoia grove units, which total about 444 acres. Three small groves – which have never been logged – protect majestic trees that are 6-16 feet in diameter! These groves are part of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area that has miles of mountain bike, foot and equestrian trails, and endless opportunities to be wowed! Photo by Bob Wick, BLM. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 3/25/16.
More
Wikipedia: Sequoiadendron giganteum
YouTube: Species Loss, Precipitation, and Fire in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park
