Where did the sequoia trees come from?

Where did the sequoia trees 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.

Why do sequoia trees only grow 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.

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.

Why was the wood from sequoias not used in construction?

Wood of giant sequoia is brittle and it cannot be used in the construction industry. Even though giant sequoias are extremely tall and heavy, they can be used only for the production of fence posts and toothpicks.

Are sequoias the same as redwoods?

—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.

Who discovered the sequoia?

Steven Endlicher, a German botanist, decided that specimens he had studied represented an entirely new genus and in 1847 renamed it Sequoia but retained the species name of sempervirens. The giant sequoia was not discovered until at least 64 years after the redwood.

Do sequoias make good lumber?

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.

What is a sequoia tree 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.

Is redwood a pine?

This confusion has come about because the Redwood which grows along the coast has been called “Redwood,” and the Redwood which grows in the mountains has been called “Big Tree.” Both species of trees are REDWOOD, the same as two pines are both Pines, though one may be called Digger Pine and the other may be known as …

Which is better Sequoia or Redwood?

Redwoods are good for lumber (probably too good for their own survival). Redwoods tend to grow up until they fall over, Sequoias grow up until they are taller than the surrounding pines, then the tops are broken by storms and the trees get larger, but not a lot taller.

How old is the oldest Sequoia?

The oldest known giant sequoia is 3,500 years old based on dendrochronology. Giant sequoias are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Giant sequoia bark is fibrous, furrowed, and may be 90 cm (3 ft) thick at the base of the columnar trunk. The bark provides significant protection from fire damage.

What is the biggest Sequoia?

The largest giant sequoia specimen is the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park . That tree measures 31 metres (101.5 feet) in circumference at its base, is 83 metres (272.4 feet) tall, and has a total estimated weight of 6,167 tons.

How old are Sequoia trees?

Sequoia trees ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) grow to approximately 300 feet. These giant trees may live to be 3,000 years old. Also known as sierra redwood trees, sequoias make useful trees in windbreaks and screens.