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... and eventually reaches the
snowline within the forest.
Sequoia is a genus of conifer comprising
two species, S. sempervirens (redwood) and S.
gigantea (big tree). The redwood is native in coast
ranges from southern Monterey to Oregon.
The 'big tree' is found in scattered,
protected groves (about 70 in total) at 3,000 to 8,500
feet on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and
stretching from from Placer to Tulare counties.
The 'big tree' was reputed to be the
'oldest living thing' until specimens of bristlecone
pine were shown to be older. Some specimens of
Sequoia gigantea are believed to be over 3.500
years old and counts in large stumps have shown 5000
rings.
The largest living specimen is the
General Sherman tree in the Sequoia National Park, with
a measurement of over 100 feet at the base, diameter of
around 30 feet (8 feet above the ground), and a height
of nearly 300 feet and weighs over 6,000 tons.
The Sequoia National Park with an area
of almost 400,000 acres was established by Congress in
1890.
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A shack surrounded by tall Sequoia
trees.
The park, before the Europeans came was
home to the grizzly bear. This symbol of California is
now extinct in the state, but the Sierran black bear
can still be found in the foothills and high contry.
Normally shy and timid the bear has learned to
associate people with food and will identify it not
only by smell but by appearance - cans, bags, coolers
and food chests can all fall prey to the animal. Cars
and homes may also be broken into in the bear's search
for food.
Mountain lions, or cougars, also roam
within the park. They once ranged from Canada through
to South America and from coast to coast. Since the
1920s as a result of hunting and loss of habitat they
are now mainly confined to the west.
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