Giant sequoia: photo. Where does the giant sequoia grow?

A giant sequoia or mammoth tree (as it is commonly called) is considered to be one of the largest trees in the world. Also this long-liver is one of the many wonders of the world. This giant tree of the conifer family can reach a height of more than 110 meters, and its trunk in diameter is 12 meters. The lifespan of a miracle of nature is simply unthinkable. The giant sequoia lives more than 5000 years.

History of occurrence

To date, scientists have come to the conclusion that the tree of this breed appeared on the earth 140 million years ago. This is proved by the fossils found and studied and other geological deposits, on the basis of which it is possible to calculate the approximate period of the appearance of a huge natural creation on Earth.

In ancient times, the sequoia spread on the territories that today are known as France, Japan and even the Novosibirsk Islands. A giant tree existed already in the Jurassic period when the planet was inhabited by dinosaurs, and even then the forests occupied huge territories in the northern hemisphere. According to experts, 50 million years ago, due to the fact that the temperature on Earth has greatly decreased, the ice age began. Giant sequoia ceased to spread around the planet and its area has greatly decreased. After warming, these trees remained at the same stage of development and remained to grow only in one region.

The first giant sequoias were found by the Spaniards, who in 1769 sent an expedition to the area of present-day San Francisco. His name mammoth trees received from the linguist and botanist S. Endlifer, who first called them "red trees". Initially, no one knew what to do with these huge long-livers. They were practically not exploited, this is due to the fact that it was almost impossible to knock down sturdy barrels, because they were not taken either by an ax or saw. In addition to all the wood was absolutely unfit for construction, as, for example, a tree of pine or other conifers. Forests of giant sequoia were even subjected to extermination in 1848. By the time when more than half of the trees were destroyed, the US authorities decided to start guarding the amazing creatures of nature.

Our days

Today, natural sequoia forests are considered a public property, but they are preserved only on the Pacific coast of California. Also, the mammoth tree grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This is the only place where the remains of amazing and beautiful forest giants have been preserved. This reserve covers an area of about 670 kilometers of coast and about 45 kilometers into the interior of the continent. Giant sequoia does not grow high in the mountains, because it requires high humidity. Nevertheless, the mammoth tree perfectly copes with low temperatures, which helped this miracle of the world to survive during the glacial period.

Annually thousands of tourists come to the USA who want to be photographed at the foot of the tree. The reserve, where a giant sequoia grows, is popular among Americans who even named one such giant by the name of the famous American commander. This giant is protected, like any other monument, and is a cultural property of all America. Despite the interest of scientists, it is not cut down under any pretext.

Tree "General Sherman"

The giant sequoia "General Sherman" grows in the Sierra Nevada and is considered one of the most amazing plants on earth. The height of the tree is more than 83 meters, and its trunk volume is 1486 cubic meters with a weight of more than 6,000 tons. According to rough estimates, the tree is somewhere around 2700 years old, and it continues to grow. Every year the giant builds up as much wood as can get an 18-meter tree. Scientists still continue to study the only coniferous plant in the world that has seen the whole history of mankind in its life.

Another famous giant

In addition to the "General Sherman" in the reserve there is another amazing tree - a giant sequoia (sequoiaadendron). California, where it was felled, still stores the base of the giant. Moreover, it was also honored, becoming an unspoken symbol of the state. The tree was felled in 1930 at the age of 1930! At its core, some sectors are combined with paint and the following is written on them:

1. 1066 - the year of the Battle of Hastings.
2. 1212 - the year of signing the Great Charter of Liberty.
3. 1492 is the year of the discovery of America.
4. 1776 - the year of the Declaration of Independence.
5. 1930 - the year of cutting.

Description of the sequoia

The tree has a thick bark, the thickness of which is 60 cm. Woody substances completely lack oil substances, but in large quantities contains tannin, which makes it resistant to any forest fires. Even burned trunks continue to grow further, while other coniferous trees die after such defeats. The wood of this tree is not subject to attacks of insects, fungi, diseases and rot. Its roots grow so deep in the earth that the chance that a tree will fall from a strong gust of wind is zero. The giant sequoia, pictures and photos of which amaze the imagination, has a pinkish bark, which becomes redder closer to the core. It does not decay for a long time, it can withstand enormous loads and is therefore suitable for a wide variety of purposes, although it is not actively used.

Reproduction

An adult sequoia tree gives an enormous amount of seeds, but only a tiny part of them successfully germinates, and those that have broken through the ground are forced to fight for their lives. The fact is that young shoots branch along the entire length, but the older they become, the more they fall off the lower branches. Thus, the tree forms a durable dome that absolutely does not allow daylight. Forests of giant sequoia do not allow to grow anything under this green canopy. Therefore, young shoots have to fight with poor lighting, proceeding from this it is very difficult to talk about the natural spread of mammoth trees on the ground. In the event that mankind will actively use such wood, there will be a need to create special reserves in which young trees will be grown.