The General Sherman tree is the largest living organism on the planet

Trees are often named by scientists, and special, unique trees have their own names. The giant sequoia "General Sherman" is the largest and most famous of them. This giant grows in Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. It is not only the largest sequoia on the planet, but also the largest living organism. Although there are trees taller and thicker, in terms of volume and mass General Sherman is the absolute record holder.

Now the height of the General Sherman is 85 meters, the trunk circumference is 24 meters, and the crown is 33 meters. The bottom branch of the giant sequoia is at a height of 40 meters, approximately at the level of the 12th floor. The weight of the tree, according to the most conservative estimates, reaches 1300 tons. And, despite its advanced age and impressive size, this sequoia continues to grow, annually adding up to 1.5 cm in girth.

In the forest where the General Sherman grows there are about seven dozen huge sequoias. Explorer John Muir, who first explored this amazing place in the 19th century, called it the Giant Forest. This part of the park still bears this name. The forest attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, and no one leaves without seeing the patriarch.

The giant sequoia is protected. The nearest parking lot is 700 meters away, and tourists need to use one of two hiking trails to reach the attraction. On the paths, bricks mark the places where the sequoia root system ends. Despite its enormous size, General Sherman's roots are relatively shallow. They extend over an area of more than 4,000 square meters, providing the tree with stability. Guests of the Giant Forest begin to be surprised even before they see the colossus itself.

The tree trunk is surrounded by a fence, because touching the General Sherman is prohibited. In 2006, one of the giant's branches broke and fell down, damaging the fence and one of the paths. Fortunately, no one was hurt then. Scientists believe that the branch fell due to climate change and this is an alarming sign.

Sequoias are considered long-living trees for a reason. Their wood is naturally resistant to disease and insects, which is why these trees can live so long. Redwood needles can remain on branches for up to 20 years, which is significantly longer than most other conifers. And General Sherman also grows in a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, which contributes to its longevity.

Sequoia was named after the Civil War hero General William Tecumseh Sherman, who is highly revered in the United States. For a long time there was debate about the age of the tree. It was believed that it was more than 3 thousand years old, but no one could give the exact figure. Relatively recently, technologies have emerged that make it possible to accurately determine how long the General Sherman lived.

The age of the tree turned out to be more modest than expected - the sequoia is “only” 2200 years old. Compared to the oldest tree on the planet, the Bristlecone pine named Methuselah, General Sherman is still very young. By the way, this relict pine also grows in California, but in a different park.

In 2021, the world could lose its greatest creature. Large-scale forest fires in California have gotten quite close to the Giant Forest. To protect the General Sherman from fire, rescuers had to wrap the lower part of its barrel with a special fire-resistant material. Fortunately, everything worked out and the fire was stopped.

Although in nature, redwoods, including General Sherman, have thick bark that protects them from fires. Such trees often survive forest fires and even use the fire to reproduce, as the heat opens their cones, releasing the seeds.

"General Sherman" is not only the greatest representative of the giant sequoias, but also a symbol of the resilience and greatness of nature. This tree bears witness to thousands of years of history, continuing to grow and impress people with its size and longevity. The unique ecosystem of the Giant Forest, where this giant grows, attracts tourists from all over the world, reminding us of the importance of preserving natural wonders for future generations. The redwoods, like the General Sherman, are an example of how nature adapts and survives despite all challenges, proving that nature's majesty knows no bounds.