THE FIRST of the two species of Sequoia to be seen by the white man was the redwood. The Spanish padres of Portola's Expedition probably first saw the redwoods in 1769 during their travels of exploration and colonization along the coast of what is now California.

When was sequoia discovered?

The first widely publicized discovery of the giant sequoia was in 1852, at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. One of these trees, named the Discovery Tree, was unfortunately felled in 1853. It was determined to be 1,244 years old. Its stump was so large it was used as a dance floor.

Who discovered the redwoods?

It was discovered by Hale D. Tharp in 1858. For two years previously he had used the meadows in the Giant Forest region as grazing land for his cattle. Shortly after its discovery, John Muir, the great lover of the out-of-doors, visited the grove with Tharp, explored it, and named it "Giant Forest."

Where did Sequoias come from?

Sequoias grow naturally along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, between 5,000 and 7,000 feet (1,524 and 2,134 m) above sea level and far inland. That elevation provides the trees with dry mountain air necessary for their cones to open and release seeds.

How long have giant sequoias been on Earth?

Giant sequoias are the third longest-lived tree species with the oldest known specimen to have been 3,266 years old in the Converse Basin Grove of Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Giant Sequoias: Sci-Fi Trees You Don’t Need To Go To A Galaxy Far Far Away To See

38 related questions found

Why are sequoias only in California?

Giant sequoias have very specific climate requirements, so specific that they grow naturally only in a narrow 260-mile strip of mixed conifer forest on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, primarily between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation.

How deep are the roots of a sequoia tree?

The sequoia redwood trees have a unique root system that is a marvel, compared to their mammoth size. Their roots are relatively shallow. There is no tap root to anchor them deep into the earth. The roots actually only go down 6-12 feet, and yet, these trees rarely fall over.

What is the difference between a redwood and a sequoia?

—The giant sequoia is the largest tree in the world in volume and has an immense trunk with very slight taper; the redwood is the world's tallest tree and has a slender trunk. ... —The wood of the giant sequoia is much coarser in texture than that of the redwood, and growth rings of the redwood are wider.

Why was the wood from sequoias not used in construction?

The wood from huge old-growth giant sequoia trees does not make good lumber, despite the its resistance to decay, because it is brittle and has little strength. ... There have been successful plantations of the sequoia outside its natural range.

Can you plant a giant sequoia in your yard?

The answer is: yes you can, provided you're living in a temperate climate zone. More about the world regions where giant sequoias have been planted successfully, can be found here. But you have to keep in mind that giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are not fit for small city gardens.

Is it illegal to plant a redwood tree?

Generally, it is legal to plant a redwood tree even in your backyard. You just need to consider the growth of its body and roots. The temperature and climate are also vital factors contributing to their growth. Redwoods usually grow somewhere down the Oregon and California coast.

Where is the Hyperion tree?

The crown of Hyperion, a roughly 600-year-old coast redwood tree, rises more than 379 feet from its base on a steep slope in a remote part of Redwood National Park, just north of Eureka in Humboldt County. It's the tallest tree on earth, and I was determined to go see it.

Who saved the redwood trees?

But a huge victory has just been won by a century-old conservation group, the Save the Redwoods League, with their $15.6 million purchase of the largest private sequoia forest in the world: Alder Creek in California.

Was Sequoyah named after the tree?

He suggested the name “Sequoia” be chosen as the name for the tree. ... It was a name originally given by the Austrian botanist Stephen Endlicher. It was believed that Endlicher named the tree after the famous Cherokee Indian Sequoyah.

Are sequoias ancient?

Giant sequoias are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, and are the verified third longest-lived tree species after the Great Basin bristlecone pine and alerce.

Who saved the great ancient sequoia trees in California forest?

John Muir, a passionate conservationist of wild lands, was one of the foremost defenders of the giant sequoias against their senseless destruction.

How much are sequoia trees worth?

How much is a sequoia tree worth? The irreplaceable ecological value of the evolved and complex old growth Sequoia forests is pitched against their present economic value of more than $100,000 for each and every mature Sequoia tree.

What is the hardest wood in the world?

1. Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF. An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf.

What is the most expensive wood in the United States?

1. Bocote - $32.99/Board Feet. Bocote is the most expensive wood and belongs to the Cordia.

What are the 3 types of redwoods?

All in the Subfamily

North Coast as “redwoods,” there are in fact three distinct redwood species: dawn redwood, giant sequoia, and coast redwood.

Are sequoias fire resistant?

Giant sequoias may be fire resistant, but they're not fireproof. Their thick bark protects them from most fire, but even when fire burns through the bark, mature sequoias are usually resilient enough to survive.

Did the redwoods burn down?

Massive fire burned 97% of California's oldest state park; ancient redwoods survived, but facilities were a total loss.

Do deer eat sequoia trees?

Grow to be extremely tall at 70-80 feet and extremely wide (20-25 feet). This evergreen coniferous tree has silvery green foliage and does not flower. Deer-resistant.

How fast do sequoia trees grow?

How fast do giant sequoias grow? The giant sequoia is the fastest growing conifer on earth given the right conditions. We expect 4 feet of upward growth in the third year for trees in large pots and one-inch plus growth rings. They have the potential to grow faster every year.

How do sequoias get water?

XYLEM. Water travels from a tree's roots to its canopy by way of this conductive tissue. ... The coastal redwood, or Sequoia sempervirens, can reach heights over 300 feet (or approximately 91 meters), which is a great distance for water, nutrients and carbon compounds to move.