Giant Sequoias, Parker Grove, Sequoia National Park, CA
We are now on our 7th week of Trees for Fun Friday, hosted by Melissa, of Blogging For Fun. We are featuring trees for 8 weeks, and in the last 3 weeks, I am featuring California trees where a National Park has been named for them, and has been established for their preservation. Last Friday, I featured the Joshua Trees in Joshua Tree National Park, and this week, I am featuring the giant sequoias.
Me and General Sherman Tree, Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, CA
In terms of total volume, the sequoia stands alone as the largest living tree on Earth. The General Sherman tree is the largest tree in the world by volume. General Sherman tree is between 2,300 and 2,700 years old and continues to add enough wood growth each year. The largest of the sequoias are as tall as a 26-storey building. In all the world, giant sequoias grow naturally only on the west slope of California's Sierra Nevada ( sierra nevada is spanish for snowy range) , at elevations of 5,000 - 7,000 ft.
Us and the Sequoias
Although these trees are giants, but they actually sprout from seeds that are so small and light, that look like oat flakes. Mature trees may produce each year 2,000 egg-sized cones that collectively bear 500,000 seeds. The seeds however are only dispersed as cones are opened, but the cones hang on the tree green and closed for up to 20 years. Douglas squirrel, or a tiny cone-boring beetle may cause these cones to open, but fire is the main agent in the dispersal of seeds. The fire ashes also enhance sequoia seedling survival.
Sequoia National Park, California's first National park and America's second oldest, was established in 1890 to protect these giant trees.
@ Sequoia National Park South Entrance
Sequoia National Park does not contain only these giant trees but also contains Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the US outside of Alaska. Sequoia National Park offers a diverse and unspoiled beauty, from the towering giant sequoias to huge mountains and rugged foothills, to deep canyons and vast caverns. 
Divided Highway 180, Sequoia National Park, CA
The sequoias have seen civilization come and go, testifying to nature's admirable perseverance surviving countless fires and drought.
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Holy smoke. So damn enormous. :D
ReplyDeleteThese are magnificent trees and you really look tiny next to them.
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amazing, I didn't know there are tree THAT big... I mean they are HUGE!! :D
ReplyDeleteIf I am one of the tress, I need to stand for more than 2000 years.
ReplyDeleteOh, too tired.
They are so huge, betchai! And I always love the information that you've providing too.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the seed dispersal, that cones hang on the tree green and closed for up to 20 years. Amazing pictures, Betchai!
ReplyDeleteThat's colossal trees! Even human can dwell inside!
ReplyDeleteYou looked like you really enjoyed your trip there based on your poses. General Sherman has so many stories to tell for being around so long.
ReplyDeleteSo majestic and gallant, betchai. I adore trees in every shape and form. Love the photo of you with the signage - very cute :)
ReplyDeleteThese big daddy's are my all time favorites. So majestic and beautiful, tall, and proud.
ReplyDeleteBeth, you have captured the trees beautifully! Seeing trees as enormous as these is like celebrating life. Makes me want to see them one day. Magnificent! :) Mother Earth's pride! :)
ReplyDeleteOMG! they are tall and magnificent trees! Dwarfed among them! I cannot even wrap my arms around them.
ReplyDeleteBeauty just around our little corner of the world.
hi betchai! happy weekend!
ReplyDeletethe towering trees are scary..so gigantic! hehe
These giant sequoias are like a fantasy to me. I see them only in pictures and video. I can only imagine what it would be like to stand next to one of these giants, like you do. It must be a wonderful feeling.
ReplyDeleteFabulous , fabulous trees!
ReplyDeleteWe went hiking yesterday, Franklin Canyon, up in the Beverly Hills area.
ReplyDeleteWas tired a bit, with a bumped knee, hehehe, the joys of aging.
The flag display was taken on Malibu Canyon Road, at the corner of PCH.
Those trees are so amazing. The only things we have here that are similar are skyscrapers.
ReplyDeletethose tress are humongous, excellent series.
ReplyDeleteI thought you were in Muriel Parks.:-) Those sequoias are huge! Speaking of blog changes, I am constantly battling with mine! It doesn't like me messing with it so it would go bi-zerked- LOL- I keep loosing links, tire of having to put them back...etc...But I like your new look Betchai. Good job.
ReplyDeleteAs a project, I am asked to analyze any two plants in our world. I was interested about the Giant Sequoia tree, but is that still considered a plant?
ReplyDeleteThe Giant Squoia is the world's largest tree in terms of total volume. So how is water able to reach the very tips of these giant trees?
ReplyDeleteNice brief and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you as your information.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to growing a tree, like PH value of soil, the right air moisture throughout the year and the right moisture for the root system, the right temperature range.
ReplyDeleteI tried and tried o snap pic of tree like that but not successful. Lovely shots Betchai :)
ReplyDeleteI especially appreciate trees. Sequoia's are on my bucket list for something to see in person.
ReplyDelete