Today we visited Sequoia National Park which is America’s second oldest national park established on September 25, 1890. (Yellowstone National Park was the first)
The bark at the base on some of the big sequoia trees have can be up to 3 feet thick. The strange texture of the bark resembles palm fiber and has a hollow sound when you knock on it. The bark gives the large trees natural resistance to most fire, disease and fungi. Toppling is the main cause of sequoia deaths because of the shallow root system with no taproot. Our previous post gave additional details on these magnificent giants of this earth.
This is the General Sherman Tree. It’s claim to fame as the biggest tree in the world comes from the volume of the trunk. A few trunks are bigger around. Some trees are taller, but no other tree has more wood in its trunk than Sherman Tree. It is estimated to be 2,200 years old. It’s largest branch is almost 7 feet in diameter.
The Sherman Tree top is dead, so the tree’s trunk no longer gets taller. However it’s volume keeps increasing. Each year this tree grows enough new wood to produce a 60-foot tall tree of usual proportions. With Sandy and I standing in front it looks big, but not gigantic.
This picture taken from a distance gives a better perspective of its massive size. There is a man leaning on the fence to the left of the tree. The picture below this one is a blow-up showing the man leaning on the fence.
This is what happens when you wear bright colors in the forest. The bugs think you are a flower, but this is ridicules.
A few pictures telling the story of the life stages of sequoia trees.
Here the road was divided between a few trees.
The next morning when we left Squaw Valley the temperature was around 70 degrees. However, as we headed up the valley to Sandy’s cousin, Jason and his wife Laurie in Auburn, CA, the temperature reached 110. We spent the better part of the afternoon and evening visiting with Samantha, Laurie, Jason and Alexandra. Thanks everyone for a great visit.
Until next time,
Dave and Sandy
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