On a recent trip to California, Josh, our owner, and his family were lucky enough to view and experience the giant sequoia trees famous in Yosemite National Park. “The amazing giant sequoia is one of the largest organisms on earth and grows from a seed less than half-an-inch long! When fully grown, the sequoia pushes its craggy tree top more than 250 feet into the sky.” (USDA)

Have you ever wondered why these beauties are so big and what makes them different than the trees we have here in Indiana? “Some scientists believe it has to do with the climate in which they grow. Sequoias benefit from California’s often prodigious snowpack, which seeps into the ground, constantly providing water to the roots of the trees.”(California Science Weekly) Here are some interesting facts about why most trees can’t outlive the sequoia and how sequoia are able to survive for thousands of years, thus becoming one of the largest trees in North America.

Most trees have a shorter lifespan due to the following reasons (Mountain Democrat):
Adverse environments such as under or over-watering, or poorly draining soils
Harmful insects or diseases which interfere with either the tree’s ability to make food or circulate food, water and nutrients to the entire tree.
Catastrophic events such as fires or hurricane-force winds.
Human intervention which in many cases is beneficial for humans, but not so much for the trees.
The accumulated effects of old age which affect all living organisms

In contrast, “the giant sequoias are one of the world’s hardiest trees. Their thick bark makes them flame resistant, as well as resistant to fungal rot and wood-boring beetles. They are the third longest-living tree species on the planet. Giant sequoia trees never stop growing until the day they die. They were once logged, but the practice stopped over a century ago because the tree’s wood is brittle. Today, the trees are protected.” (The Environmentor)

It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the beautiful sequoia trees and because of their long life and perfect climate, they can reach massive size. Understanding how they can grow so tall, gives us a clue as to how we can help our trees have a longer healthier life.

Browning Tree Service employs Joshua Browning ISA certified arborist license #KY-9849A who is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area!

Resources:

https://blog.tentree.com/15-incredible-facts-about-giant-sequoia-trees/

https://www.mtdemocrat.com/prospecting/grow-for-it-why-trees-die/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/home/?cid=stelprdb5394941

https://californiascienceweekly.com/2020/03/04/why-are-californias-redwoods-and-sequoias-so-big/