Giant sequoia or mammoth tree (how else it is called) is considered one of the huge trees in the world.Also, the survivor is one of the many wonders of the world.It is a giant family tree conifer can reach heights of over 110 meters and its trunk has a diameter of 12 meters.Lifespan miracle of nature is unthinkable.Giant sequoia lives of more than 5,000 years.
History of
To date, scientists have concluded that a tree of this species appeared on earth another 140 million years ago.This is shown by results and studied fossils and other geological deposits, on the basis of which it is possible to calculate the approximate time of creating the appearance of a huge natural in the world.
sequoia in ancient times extended to areas that are now known as France, Japan, and even in the New Siberian Islands.Giant tree already existed in the Jurassic period when dinosaurs inhabited the planet, and even then forests covered vast areas in the northern hemisphere.According to experts, 50 million years ago, due to the fact that the temperature of the Earth is strongly decreased, the ice age began.Giant sequoia stop spreading across the planet and its habitat greatly reduced.After warming the trees remained at the same stage of development and were to grow only one region.
first giant sequoia discovered Spaniards, who in 1769 sent an expedition to the area of the current San Francisco.His name Mammoth trees received from linguist and botanist S. Endlifera who first called them "red trees."Initially, no one knew what to do with these huge longevity.They hardly exploited, due to the fact that the strong trunks were almost impossible to knock him down, as they did not take any ax or saw.On top of that wood it was totally unsuitable for construction, such as wood pine or other conifers.Forests of giant redwoods, even subjected to extermination in 1848.By the time more than half of the trees were destroyed, the US authorities decided to start to protect the amazing creations of nature.
Our days
Today, natural forest sequoia considered public property, but they have survived only on the Pacific coast of California.Also mammoth tree grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.This is the only place where even the remains of the amazing and beautiful forest giants.This reserve covers an area of about 670 kilometers of the coast and about 45 kilometers inland.Giant sequoia grows in the mountains, because it requires high humidity.However mammoth tree copes with low temperatures that just helped this wonder of the world to survive the ice age.
annually in the United States attracts thousands of tourists who want to take pictures at the foot of the tree.The reserve, which grows a giant sequoia, and is popular among the Americans, who even named one of the giant name of a famous American general.This giant is protected like any other monument, and is the cultural heritage of the whole of America.Despite interest from scientists, it does not cut down on any pretext.
Tree "General Sherman»
Giant sequoia "General Sherman" is growing in the Sierra Nevada and is considered one of the most amazing plants on earth.The height of the tree is more than 83 meters and its trunk volume - 1486 cubic meters and weighs more than 6,000 tons.It is estimated a tree somewhere around 2,700 years, and it still continues to grow.Every year, the giant builds up as much wood as can score 18-meter tree.Scientists have continued to study the world's only coniferous plant, which has seen in his life the history of mankind.
Another famous giant
addition to the "General Sherman" in the reserve, there is another amazing tree - giant sequoia (Sequoia).California, where it was cut down, still keeps the base of the giant.Moreover, it also was honored to become the unofficial symbol of the state.The tree was cut down in 1930 at the age of 1930 years!At its heart some sectors combined with paint on them and the following is written:
- 1066 - the year of the Battle of Hastings.
- 1212 - year of the signing of the Magna Carta.
- 1492 - year of the discovery of America.
- 1776 - the year of the Declaration of Independence.
- 1930 - year felling.
Description
sequoia tree has a thick crust, whose thickness is 60 cm. The wood moisture completely absent oily substance, but in large quantities contains tannin, which makes it resistant to any forest fires.Even burned trunks continue to rise further, while the other conifers such lesions after dying.The wood of this tree is not subject to attacks by insects, fungi, disease and rot.Its roots grow deep in the ground so that the chance that the tree would fall by a strong gust of wind, is zero.Giant sequoia, images and photos that capture the imagination, has a pinkish bark that becomes redder closer to the nucleus.It has long does not rot, can withstand enormous loads and therefore perfectly suited for a variety of purposes, although not actively used.
Reproduction
mature tree sequoia is a huge amount of seeds, but only a tiny part of them successfully germinate, and those who made their way through the ground, forced to fight for his life.The fact that the young shoots of branching along the entire length, but the older you become, the more the lower branches have eliminated.Thus the tree forms a solid canopy that is absolutely not let the light of day.Forests of giant redwoods do not allow anything to grow under that green canopy.Therefore, the young shoots have to contend with poor lighting on the basis of this it is very difficult to talk about the natural distribution of redwood trees on the ground.In the event that humanity will actively use such wood, will need to create special reserves, which will be grown saplings.
