“I kept my lofty perch for hours, frequently closing my eyes…to feast quietly on the delicious fragrance that was streaming past. The fragrance of the woods was less marked than that produced during warm rain, when so many balsamic buds and leaves are steeped like tea; but, from the chafing of resiny branches against each other, and the incessant attrition of myriads of needles, the gale was spiced to a very tonic degree”.

John Muir, Naturalist, excerpt from The Mountains of California

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Seqoiadendron giganteum, Range: Western slope of Sierra Nevada in central California

The Giant Sequoias

Sequoia are the largest trees in the world, but not the tallest Sequoia characteristics, General Grant Grove, Sequoia National Forest, CA Blue-green Sequoia leaves Sequoia grow to heights of 150 to 250 feet and 20 ft. diameter
The Giant Sequoia reaches full height in its first 800 years, then continues to add bulk rather than height. Sequoia longevity is attributed to properties that make it resilient against fire, insects and disease Sequoia trunk and scale-leaves Sequoia trunk reveals scars from a previous fire
Late afternoon shadows and blue sky beautify the already impressive Sequoia forest Galen Clark, first guardian of Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove, worked hard to protect the Giant Sequoias. Mariposa Grove, The Bachelor and Three Graces Sequoia roots extend outward 200 to 250 feet and are comparitively shallow, only six to eight feet deep.
Mossy Sequoia, Mariposa Grove, Sequoia National Forest, CA Mossy Sequoia, Mariposa Grove, Sequoia National Forest, CA Mariposa Grove, Sequoia National Forest, CA Sequoia roots are only six to eight feet deep, so the trees are prone to toppling.
Sequoia Toe! The Giant Sequoia are federally protected; this one may have been cut down to prevent flames entering from a nearby forest fire Ponderosa Pine thrive in the central California forests alongside the Giant Sequoias Sequoia in Shadow
Intermittent fires are essential for Sequoia's reproduction and survival. Fire opens the Sequoia's cones, 200-300 seeds per cone, Mariposa Grove. Sculptural remnants of fire Early evening, smouldering beauty
Moss growing on charred Sequoia logs, Mariposa Grove Moss growing on charred Sequoia logs, Mariposa Grove White tailed Deer munching on young Sequoia branches, Kings Canyon National Park Autumn, Eight thirteen p.m. in the Sequoia National Forest, northern California

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