A real legend of the Pacific coast of the North American continent is the sequoia tree. The majestic giant has no equal in height. These days you can see and touch relict giants with your own eyes only in national parks and reserves where environmental protection measures are carried out. In parks and private gardens you can only find much younger plants, unlike those that have been around for 2-3 millennia.
History of origin
Today, scientists have come to the conclusion that a tree of this species appeared on earth 140 million years ago.
This is proven by the found and studied fossils and other geological deposits, on the basis of which it is possible to calculate the approximate period of the appearance of a huge natural creature on Earth. In ancient times, sequoia spread to territories that are today known as France, Japan and even the New Siberian Islands. The giant tree existed already in the Jurassic period, when the planet was inhabited by dinosaurs, and even then forests occupied vast areas in the northern hemisphere. According to experts, 50 million years ago, due to the fact that the temperature on Earth dropped significantly, the Ice Age began. The giant sequoia has stopped spreading across the planet and its range has greatly decreased. After warming, these trees remained at the same stage of development and remained growing in only one region.
The first to discover giant sequoias were the Spaniards, who in 1769 sent an expedition to the area of present-day San Francisco. Mammoth trees got their name from the linguist and botanist S. Endlifer, who was the first to call them “red trees.” Initially, no one knew what to do with these huge centenarians. They were practically not used, this is due to the fact that strong trunks were almost impossible to fell, since neither an ax nor a saw could take them. On top of that, the wood turned out to be absolutely unsuitable for construction, such as pine or other conifers. The giant sequoia forests were even destroyed in 1848. By the time more than half of the trees had already been destroyed, the US authorities decided to begin protecting the amazing creatures of nature.
How many giants are there on planet Earth?
And yet, every traveler who has been in the shade of this tree is fascinated by the evergreen sequoia (height) with its unusualness and some ancient statics. All travelers love to take photos against the backdrop of these giants. Particularly popular are photographs of tourists when a whole group of them tries to grasp the trunk of a relict tree, but sometimes they do not have enough hands. Yes, such enormous growth also requires a solid foundation. The trunk diameter of some trees reaches several meters. The largest sequoia reached 7 meters in diameter at the base.
This is a real giant on our planet. Today, about 15 trees grow on Earth, the height of which reaches more than 110 meters. Scientists also counted 47 sequoias, which stretched more than 105 meters.
Our days
Today, natural redwood forests are considered a national treasure, but they remain only on the Pacific coast of California. The mammoth tree also grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This is the only place where the remains of amazing and beautiful forest giants are still preserved. This reserve covers an area of about 670 kilometers of coast and about 45 kilometers inland. The giant sequoia does not grow high in the mountains because it requires high air humidity. Nevertheless, the mammoth tree copes well with low temperatures, which is what helped this wonder of the world survive during the Ice Age.
Every year, thousands of tourists come to the United States to take pictures at the foot of the tree. The reserve where the giant sequoia grows is also popular among Americans, who even named one such giant after a famous American commander. This giant is protected like any other monument and is a cultural heritage of all America. Despite the interest from scientists, it is not cut down under any pretext.
Metasequoia
This type of sequoia grows in some Chinese provinces. The Chinese sequoia is not gigantic in size. This type of sequoia is listed in the Red Book due to extinction.
- Metasequoia can be found on mountain slopes.
- These trees reach a height of no more than 35 meters, the diameter of the trunk is only a few meters.
- Mature trees have a rounded crown, while young trees have a conical crown.
- Young trees have a reddish bark that becomes darker with age.
- The two-row leaves fall off during the winter season.
Spherical cones up to two centimeters in diameter appear in the sixth or ninth year of the plant’s life. The life span of one tree is about six hundred years. At the age of twenty, metasequoia reaches a height of about twenty meters, one and a half meters in volume.
Botanical description
Sequoia is an evergreen monoecious tree.
The crown is conical in shape, the branches grow horizontally or with a slight downward slope. The bark is very thick, up to 30 cm thick, and relatively soft, fibrous, red-brown in color immediately after it is removed (hence the English name redwood, “mahogany”), darkens over time. The root system consists of shallow, widely spreading lateral roots. The leaves are 15-25 mm long, elongated and flat in young trees, with arrowheads in the shady lower crown of old trees, and scale-like 5-10 mm long in the upper crown of old trees. Cones are ovoid, 15-32 mm in length, with 15-25 spirally twisted scales; pollination at the end of winter, ripening after 8-9 months. Each cone contains 3-7 seeds, each of which is 3-4 mm long and 0.5 mm wide. The seeds spill out when the cone dries and opens.
Growing
For a comfortable existence, it is better to place the bonsai on a window of eastern or western orientation. Sequoia is photophilous. However, if located on the south side during the midday hours, you will have to consider a shading system. Due to prolonged exposure to direct rays, the plant may die. But in winter, if there is a lack of light, moving the tree to a southern windowsill can be a solution to the problem. The main thing is not to forget to return the plant to its original place in the spring, when the sun begins to get hot.
Bonsai prefers moderate air temperatures. In winter it is necessary to place it in a well-lit, cool room. The optimal temperature from December to February is +8–10°C. If the thermometer rises higher, additional spraying will be needed.
Sequoia does not tolerate the lack of fresh air well. In summer, it must be taken out into the fresh air, providing protection from direct sun. The plant does not like temperature changes and drafts. The rest of the time, regular ventilation of the room has a beneficial effect.
Distribution and ecology
It grows in California, Washington state and the Canadian province of British Columbia along the Pacific coast on a strip about 750 km long and 8 to 75 km wide. Average heights are 30-750 m above sea level, sometimes trees grow close to the shore, sometimes they climb to a height of up to 920 m. Sequoia loves the humidity that sea air brings with it. The tallest and oldest trees grow in gorges and deep ravines, where streams of moist air can reach all year round and where fog regularly occurs. Trees growing above the fog layer (above 700 m) are shorter and smaller due to drier, windier and cooler growing conditions.
The giant's native land
The main habitat where the sequoia tree grows is the Pacific coast of North America. The territory of their native lands extends 75 km deep into the continent and stretches almost 800 km along the ocean. A relatively small area of land rises 700-1000 m above sea level. Although these conifers get along well at an altitude of more than 2 km. The wetter the climate, the higher and greener the crown of these giants will be.
The state of California and Oregon annually welcome thousands of tourists who want to admire these beauties. In addition to natural habitats, such “long-livers” can also be found on the territory of nature reserves:
- SOUTH AFRICA;
- Canada;
- Italy;
- Hawaiian Islands;
- England;
- New Zealand.
The main feature of all these countries is access to a humid maritime climate. However, such giant exhibits can withstand sudden changes in temperature very well. It has been recorded that on mountain slopes, where they can often be found, it can reach -25°C. Therefore, the mammoth tree can be successfully grown on other continents. The only thing is that they grow several times slower there. And only after half a century will you be able to see the result of your painstaking work.
In Russia, the sequoia tree grows in the coastal regions of the Krasnodar region. The Sochi Arboretum has a modest “collection” of young seedlings. This area, of course, is not very large. Perhaps several centuries will pass, and a new generation of tourists will admire these luxurious Pacific “titans”. At the foot of such giants you can feel all your insignificance. Especially when you are surrounded by a whole grove of 90-meter giants (that’s almost 35 floors of a skyscraper). According to one study, a redwood tree that was more than 116 meters tall was felled in the early 1900s. One can only imagine how much work and effort it took those workers.
The maximum thickness of the bark of the largest tree in the world can be about 30 cm.
Varieties used
The best grade is recognized as the so-called pure heartwood, free of knots and other defects, uniform in density, with an impeccable texture and regular geometric pattern. It is dried naturally and is not exposed to high temperatures. This material is used exclusively for the production of top-class products and finishing.
The following types of wood are considered to be of lower quality, but quite practical and durable: simply pure and sound wood. They can undergo pre-drying in ovens, contain a small amount of sapwood, and contain knots and other defects. These types are used for the manufacture of various outdoor structures, support structures, flooring of terraces, and installation of fences.
In addition, there is a gradation within the less valuable varieties:
- construction (deck) sound - includes fragments with a large number of knots, intended for beams, decking, installation of supports;
- ordinary construction - a mixture of sapwood and core, used for various ground structures: gazebos, verandas, flooring, fences;
- commercial soundwood is a type of pure, but cheaper wood, the composition includes various defects: cracks, knots, processing defects. It is used for outdoor work, where decorative qualities are not important, but high strength and resistance to adverse factors are required;
- commercial - the lowest grade, which requires the presence of sapwood, is used only for external work: building fences, formwork of supporting walls.
Sequoia easily lends itself to any type of processing: sawing, grinding, cutting with mechanical and hand tools. Holds screws, nails and staples well, can be etched with stains, sanded and polished, glued and painted.
How to grow Sequoia at home
Initially, sequoia did not grow in our climate, but thanks to the efforts of landscapers and dendrologists, species resistant to cool climates appeared. It is better to find the place where these trees grow closest to you. Having received sequoia seeds, they should be prepared for planting. It is better to do this in early spring, so that by the onset of next winter the small sequoias have time to get stronger. To begin with, the seeds should be “overwintered” in the refrigerator for about a week. At the same time, you shouldn’t put them in the freezer; a temperature of about +6 C is enough. Then you need to give them a “thaw” by soaking them in melt water at room temperature for a couple of days. Seeds should be planted in sandy-clayey, well-moistened soil, sprinkled with 1-2 mm of soil, and it is important that the seeds receive sunlight. At this time, they can be covered with cling film or a transparent cap.
The crops need to be ventilated and sprayed a couple of times a day. It is very important to keep the soil moist, but not wet, since sprouts often die from waterlogging. To avoid this, sprouts should be sprayed with a spray bottle rather than watered with a watering can. The germination rate of sequoias is low; in the best case, 15-25% of the seeds will germinate. The first shoots may appear in 2 days, or even in 2 months.
As soon as sprouts appear, the film or cap must be removed immediately. Without free air circulation, the sprouts quickly die. A couple of days after pipping, the sprout sheds the dry skin of the seed. If he has difficulty with this, you can gently help him. Young sprouts love the sun, but they should be shaded from direct sunlight. Small sequoias should not be kept close to heating appliances. Dry air is harmful to them. In 5 months you will already have a miniature Christmas tree. Sequoia under 3 years of age should be kept in a pot and watered regularly. Dry periods are stressful for sequoia, as a result of which it greatly slows down its growth. Biennial plants can be kept outside in warm weather. The tree should be brought indoors for the winter. From spring it can be kept outside in a well-lit place. A tree 1-1.5 m high can already be planted in open ground. In European climatic conditions, sequoia can withstand frosts down to -18 C.
First steps after purchase
When choosing a Sequoia bonsai in a store, they pay attention to the condition of the crown, bark, branches and near-root zone. You just have to like the tree purely in appearance. You shouldn’t hope to correct the direction of trunk growth in the future or expect that the crown in your house will become much more luxuriant.
It is almost impossible to radically change anything in a fully formed specimen. If you are fundamentally unsatisfied with something, it is better to refuse the purchase.
It is also worth postponing the purchase when the Sequoia has a lot of yellow and dry leaves, mold on the trunk or traces of mechanical damage (for example, from a wire), small insects or larvae on the shoots.
When the bonsai arrives home, check the soil moisture. If the earthen ball is too dry, water the plant and leave it alone for 2 weeks. A newcomer needs to get used to the atmosphere of someone else’s home and adapt. After 10–14 days, Sequoia can be assigned to a permanent location.
Secrets of success
Sequoia does not tolerate drought. A long stay without water is detrimental to her. We must always ensure that the earthen lump does not dry out. However, bonsai also does not tolerate prolonged waterlogging. Good drainage and moderate watering will help keep the tree healthy and beautiful. For irrigation, it is recommended to use water at room temperature.
Before use, it should be allowed to sit for at least a day. Excess moisture from the pan should be removed to avoid rotting of the root system. In autumn, the frequency of watering is slowly reduced. It depends on the temperature in the room. If Sequoia winters at +8°C, it is enough to moisten the soil 3 times a month.
When the temperature rises by several degrees (+12–14°C), watering is carried out almost 2 times more often.
During the active growing season, the plant is fed. Complex fertilizer is applied once a month. It must first be diluted with warm water. The dose is taken at half the amount indicated on the package. Sometimes bonsai are limited in nutrients, thereby trying to slow down growth. This is fundamentally wrong.
Sequoia does not like transplanting. It is recommended to carry out the procedure using the transshipment method with partial replacement of the soil.
Possible difficulties
- The trunk began to stretch
Reason: 1) the plant does not have enough light.
- The root system rots
Reason: 1) poor drainage or lack thereof, 2) frequent soil moisture.
- The leaves thinned and turned yellow and began to dry out.
1) rare watering, 2) long exposure to direct sun.
Breeding period
Usually a lot of seeds ripen in sequoia, but only a few of them take root and produce young shoots. Young shoots are forced to survive in conditions of lack of sunlight.
- The lifespan of one tree is about three thousand years and slow reproduction will not affect the plant population in any way, but redwoods are periodically cut down and the recovery period is slow.
- Fortunately, forest fires have a positive effect on the reproduction process of redwoods. Young trees after a fire receive moisture, carbohydrates and nutrients. The tree is able to displace conifers and exist safely in its own shadow.
Sequoia is not picky about the soil; it loves moist air, but does not like swampy places and dry limestone soils.
Wood value
In the United States, cutting down sequoia trees is strictly punishable by law, as this tree is in danger of extinction. Due to the slightly reddish tint of wood, it is used as interior decorative elements. Since the wood fibers of this coniferous species are quite dense and also resistant to decay, they serve as an amazing material for furniture production. It is also used to make:
- paper;
- railway cars and sleepers;
- roofing elements;
- designs for underwater structures.
This raw material differs from all others in the absence of a rich pine smell. Therefore, many tobacco companies use sequoia to produce boxes in which cigars and other products of this industry are stored. Moreover, beekeepers also found use for barrels made from expensive wood. Honey, bee bread, and wax are perfectly stored in them.
According to the calculations of the processing enterprise, more than one thousand tons of wood raw materials can be obtained from one mammoth tree. To transport all this wealth, the customer will need over fifty cars, that is, almost an entire freight train.
All kinds of pests/parasites rarely inhabit the trunk of a luxurious giant. This is due to the rapid growth of the plant. Also, mammoth wood contains a huge amount of phytoncides. These biologically active substances are capable of not only “scaring away” huge “hordes” of harmful insects, but also keeping them at a decent distance.
It is noteworthy that in the reserves each fallen sequoia tree is given a place of honor. Amazing exhibits are made from its trunk, impressing tourists. So, one enterprising American built a parking space in it, and in another case he built a cozy restaurant for 50 people. Sequoia National Park borrowed creative ideas. It is here that tourists will be able to drive through an unusual tunnel made from a fallen tree. Yes, nature amazes with its diversity and magnificent beauty.
Unfit for humans
The first settlers, seeing the redwoods, immediately figured that from one fallen tree they could stock up on firewood for half a lifetime, and therefore began to mercilessly saw and cut down the centuries-old cypress plants. The first couple of years the work was active, and the wood was used to build houses, make furniture and for heating houses. But soon people began to notice: the bark was too thick, the wood was too fragile and wet, and even saturated with a huge amount of moisture. Sequoia makes unreliable houses, furniture is too shaky and short-lived, and in order to heat a house, the wood must be dried for a long time and persistently. There were many other, more suitable trees for all these purposes.
Interesting facts: the largest sequoia trees in the world (with photos)
Interesting facts about sequoia can begin to be listed with the fact that fossil samples indicate that these giant trees existed already in the Jurassic period, between 208 and 144 million years ago, and then occupied large areas in the northern hemisphere. They now grow in a relatively small region stretching 450 km from the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in California north to the Klamath Mountains in Southern Oregon. The size of these forests has now been greatly reduced as a result of active exploitation. Currently, redwoods are primarily found in two protected areas. Humboldt Redwoods National Park, designated a natural heritage site, covers an area of 425 square kilometers. km, and Sequoia National Park and Biosphere Reserve - 1629 sq. km.
The largest sequoia tree in the world currently growing is the Stratospheric Giant in the Humboldt Redwoods National Park, its height is 112.83 m - last measured in 2004 (in August 2000 - 112.34 m, in 2002 - 112 .56 m).
The tallest tree of all time,
the Dyerville Giant , also stands in the Humboldt Redwoods, its height was measured after its fall in March 1991 at 113.4 m, and its age is estimated to be 1600 years.
Of the growing trees, 15 are more than 110 m in height. 47 trees - more than 105 m in height. It is said that the height of the tree, cut down in 1912, was 115.8 m.
The most voluminous tree is the General Sherman sequoia ; its volume is 1487 cubic meters. m. They say that the sequoia, cut down in 1926, had a volume of 1794 cubic meters. m, but this fact has not been verified.
The tallest non-red tree - 100.3 m in height - is Dugnas spruce .
Look at the largest sequoias in the photo, where interesting specimens are presented that demonstrate the growth capabilities of this crop:
Is there a limit to the height of trees?
In 2004, the journal Nature wrote that the maximum theoretical height of the California sequoia (and any other tree) is limited by gravity and is equal to 122–130 m. American botanists came to the conclusion that not a single tree can overcome this mark. He simply does not have the strength to pump out enough moisture from the soil and deliver it to the top through the capillaries. It is known that the branches at the top of the tallest trees experience a constant lack of moisture and are not able to fully develop, and the leaves at the very top are always much smaller than those located in the thick of the crown.
Sequoia dendron is grown as an ornamental plant in many countries around the world. It is especially good at the age of 80-100 years with a dark green, regularly pyramidal crown starting from the ground and a translucent reddish trunk. With age, the correctness of the crown is disrupted, the trunk becomes bare and thickens, and the tree takes on a monumental appearance.
Having been brought to Europe back in 1853, the sequoia dendron has taken root well in the parks and gardens of its southwestern part. Its seeds came to our country in 1858. The first trees were planted in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, then on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and in Central Asia. And although they grow slower under these conditions than in their homeland, they nevertheless reach quite impressive sizes. Thus, seventy-year-old specimens grow to a height of 30 m or more (with a diameter of over 1 m).
Unlike sequoia (“redwood”), sequoia dendron is also called “Sierra redwood.” Its wood, which does not rot, is used in construction work, for the manufacture of tiles and fences. Thick sequoia dendron bark (30-60 cm) is used as linings in fruit containers.
Sequoia has the most valuable wood among the taxodiaceae, with red heartwood and yellowish-white sapwood. It is interesting to note that the quality of wood varies not only depending on the location of growth, but also within the same trunk.
Light, dense, rot-resistant sequoia wood is widely used as a building and carpentry material, used in the manufacture of furniture, sleepers, telegraph poles and railway cars, paper and tiles. The absence of odor allows it to be used in the tobacco and food industries. It is used to make boxes and crates for cigars and tobacco, barrels for storing honey and molasses.
Because of its excellent wood and rapid growth, sequoia is grown not only as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks, but also in forestry. Surprising is its ability to produce abundant growth, which does not differ in growth rate and life expectancy from seedlings grown from seeds. The redwood forests of America are largely composed of trees that originated in this way. Up to two new generations can be found around one old tree.
The discovery of a living representative of the Metasequoia genus is called the sensation of the century. Indeed, the fate of this plant is extraordinary. The genus Metasequoia was first described in 1941 by the Japanese paleobotanist S. Miki on the basis of fossil remains - cones and imprints of leafy shoots, which for a long time were attributed to two extinct species of the genus Sequoia:
two-row sequoia (S. disticha) and Japanese sequoia (S. japonica).
He was the first to notice that these two species differ perfectly from other types of sequoia by long-legged cones with a cross-shaped arrangement of scales and shoots with opposite leaves. The closeness of the new genus to the sequoia was nevertheless obvious, and Miki called it metasequoia (from the Greek meta - among, between).
Why do scientists love sequoia?
The longevity of the sequoia is put at the service of science. With the help of these ancient inhabitants, scientists were able to look into the depths of thousands of years. Thanks to the growth rings on the cross sections of huge trunks, researchers obtained completely reliable data on the climate of bygone times. After all, sequoias, reacting to weather changes, regularly and according to the amount of precipitation each year grew thicker, then thinner layers of wood, or tree rings. Scientists have examined the trunks of over 450 of these giants. These materials made it possible to trace the weather for more than 2000 years. As a result, it became known, for example, that 2000, 900 and 600 years ago there were periods very rich in precipitation, and periods 1200 and 1400 years distant from us were characterized by extremely long and severe droughts.
American scientists, with the help of sequoias, also learned the weather of a more recent time. Thus, it was possible to establish that the years 1900 and 1934 were marked by the most severe droughts in the last 1200 years for the North American continent.
Not afraid of fires
The bark of an adult sequoia is about half a meter thick and absorbs water like a sponge. Thanks to this structure, these trees are not at all afraid of fires, which are not uncommon in coniferous forests - young trees with thin bark die, old trees have not been destroyed by fire, and this is after thousands of years of constant attempts.
Parasites are too tough
It is not at all afraid of parasitic fungi, which easily spoil the wood of other species; its militant phytoncides repel numerous harmful insects and always keep them at a respectful distance.
Lightning's Favorite
Sequoia pays a high price for its greatness. Proudly towering above the other trees, it attracts lightning like a magnetized rod. Despite the deadly blows, many trees manage to survive by shedding their scorched branches.
112.83 meters
What is the tallest sequoia tree in the world? This question haunted scientists for a long time, and after many years of measurements and research, they finally found the largest giant. It turned out to be the Stratospheric Giant, which now grows in the Humboldt Redwoods National Park. This sequoia reached a height of exactly 112 meters 83 centimeters. True, the last time it was measured was more than ten years ago, in 2004. So it probably had time to grow some more.
Before this, the limiting height of evergreen redwood was a tree called Giant Dyerville, which also grew in the Humboldt Redwoods. In 1991, after bad weather, it fell, and when they measured the distance from the base to the top, the figure turned out to be: 113 meters 40 centimeters. The age of the Dyerville Giant was determined to be 1600 years.
But they say that in modern history there was an even taller tree! And they cut it down in 1812. His altitude record is 115 meters 80 centimeters. Biologists believe that the maximum growth of a sequoia cannot exceed 130 meters, because the forces of gravity will not allow the sap to rise higher. True, so far no one has discovered trees of this size.
Does sequoia grow in Russia?
This giant tree is mainly found in America on the Pacific coast. Sometimes they grow near the coast, but are mainly located within 30-750 meters above sea level. This tree loves good humidity, so in dry places it is doomed to death. Some seeds successfully climbed even higher, sprouted shoots, and the trees took root there well. In any case, there are sequoias that grow well at an altitude of 920 meters from sea level.
This unique giant is very beautiful and captivating with its size. Therefore, many national nature reserves in Europe successfully plant this tree, which, with proper care, reaches relatively large sizes in the middle zone.
In Russia, sequoia can be found in Crimea and Transcaucasia. The warm climate of these territories allows relict trees to grow to quite decent sizes. Of course, these sequoias are relatively young, they are no more than 200-250 years old. But there is a chance that if the climate does not change, they will continue to grow for many, many centuries to the delight of those around them.
Historical summary
The trees did not get their name due to their external characteristics and advanced age. At one time, these regions were the homeland of the Cherokee Indian tribe. Admired by the height of the sequoia tree, as well as the excellent talents and qualities of their leader, they decided to name it in honor of their leader. Since he really did a lot for the culture and education of his people, the public accepted this name with pleasure.
Studying this “slender beauty” in 1859, one botanist decided to name her in honor of America’s national hero. The big name of Wellington - the English commander who defeated Napoleonic army - did not please the locals. Therefore, they chose another figure and a popular favorite of the Indians.
"Bohemian Grove"
“Bohemian Grove”
One redwood forest was named “Bohemian Grove” because in this place, since the nineties of the 19th century, the “Bohemian Club”, a closed club for the elite, has been located. Only club members can enter the grove, including all US presidents, eminent politicians, bankers and heads of large companies. Important issues are not being addressed here. The powers that be relax and have fun at the Bohemian Club. And this is in a natural reserve, among pristine giant sequoias, which are prohibited from being cut down!
Felling
Especially many redwood trees were cut down in the 19th and early 20th centuries. People, like vandals, cut down the largest thousand-year-old trees without pity.
For what? At first there was an idea to export wood to Europe. Having estimated how many boards could be made from one trunk, the woodcutters seemed giddy with anticipation. They were already counting up the crazy amounts of money they could get for it.
At first, the trees were cut down the old fashioned way (using an ax and a saw) and little by little, but gradually the cutting took on a large scale: instead of horses, the trunks began to be taken away along the laid railways.
Cutting down sequoias
But the reality turned out to be much more prosaic. The sequoia trunks, cut down with great difficulty, fell into small pieces, since the wood of this tree turned out to be quite fragile. As a result, small things began to be made from sequoia wood: boards for low fences and roofs, cuttings, various utensils, and the like.
At the same time, the hewers wanted to show the Europeans what giants were growing in America. At the same time, they not only took pictures against the backdrop of felled trunks, but also tried to bring sequoia boards to Europe in order to visually show them.
So, in 1900, an exhibition was held in Paris, at which it was planned to demonstrate a hundred-meter sequoia board. It was possible to manufacture it, but not a single ship dared to transport such a long cargo from the USA to Europe.
Sequoia "Mark Twain"
The largest sequoia felled was called "Mark Twain". The end of her life came in 1892. It took so many hundreds of years to grow for someone to pose against the background of a felled trunk, and the wood was used for boards and stump exhibits for two museums.
In one museum, a performance was staged for visitors on a tree stump: a piano and an orchestra were placed on it, and dancers danced on the side. So, obviously, the organizers wanted to emphasize the incredible size of the sequoia.
Gradually, people realized that cutting down thousand-year-old redwood trees was not worth it. The tree population has been declining sharply, and restoring it is extremely difficult and, as you understand, very long. There are only three dozen small redwood forests left, in which all the especially outstanding trees now have their own names.
