Giants of the Forest

Trail Thoughts and Musings

The giant sequoias are survivors. The base of the tree in the foreground shows where it has been burned through with fire. These trees can survive fires so well because their thick fibrous bark acts as a fire shield. In addition, the living part of the tree is found just beneath the inner bark, forming a layer about five inches wide in old trees. As long as this layer is not completely severed, the tree can continue to grow.