Mammoth tree: description, photo, interesting facts

In this article, we want to talk about what kind of miracle is this mammoth tree? Those who first see it, it seems that it is magical, as if from some fairy tale. But in fact this huge plant is nothing more than a giant sequoiadendron.

From the history…

Mammoth tree has a giant size, outwardly its branches resemble real mammoth tusks. Small plants reach a height of ten meters, and some specimens grow to 110 meters. Apparently, the sequoia has a rather long history, because the forests of such trees existed even in the time of the dinosaurs. In those distant times they were spread all over the planet. Now in natural conditions they grow only in the north of California and in the mountains of Sierra Nevada.

It is very difficult to determine the average age of giant plants, suggest that they are no less than 3-4 millennia, although the age of some specimens also reaches 13 thousand years.

After the discovery of the mammoth tree by Europeans, it changed the name several times. The British botanist Lindley named the plant Wellington (after the Duke of Wellington), and the Americans suggested that the plant be named Washington (in honor of the President of Washington). But these names have already been assigned to other plants, so in 1939 the tree was called a sequojadendron.

Sequoiaadendron giant: description

Sequoiaadendron belongs to the genus of evergreen coniferous plants of the Cypress family. The first mention of such a plant among Europeans dates back to 1833. Currently, the mammoth tree is the highest in the world. It is also called "mahogany". The plant has bluish-green needles and a red-brown bark, the thickness of which is more than 60 centimeters, which makes the tree resistant to frost. The height of the sequojadendron is more than one hundred meters, and the diameter of the trunk at the base is 10 meters. Approximate weight of such a giant - at least two thousand tons. Such an evergreen plant grows up to 750 meters above sea level. Along the Pacific Ocean on the coast of California.

The giant size of sequoias are considered the most massive trees in nature, as well as the largest living organisms. Among them there are about 50 trees with a height of more than 105 meters. The oldest tree today is about 3500 years old. It is interesting that on the trunks these giants have their own ecosystems. Here, lichens and other small plants, animals and organisms live well.

At a young age, mammoth trees grow very fast (10-20 centimeters per year). They have a cone-shaped, dense crown, later it becomes more prostrate and high. With age, the branches are located only on top of the trunk. Young shoots have a greenish-brown hue.

In an adult plant, the red-brown bark is very thick and soft, it is separated from the trunk by fibers. Needles persist on shoots up to four years. The plant blooms in April-May.

Features of the mammoth tree

Mammoth tree has very valuable wood, which is most highly valued among rocks with a red core and white sapwood (or pale yellow). The bark of the sequoia is incredibly thick, red with deep furrows on the surface, it reliably protects the plant from external factors.

The solid wood of the giants can not be rotted, which is why the trees began to be exterminated in the homeland since the time of the gold diggers and the first explorers. Up to now, no more than 500 specimens have survived, which are under protection and are considered protected.

Sequoiaadendron is considered one of the long-livers on Earth. It can grow over 2,000 years. The mature tree reaches 400-500 years.

Where does the sequoia grow?

If we talk about where the mammoth tree grows, then it should be noted that in the Cretaceous, such evergreen plants were widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. But now minor remains of forests have been preserved only in a limited area of North America. Trees grow a narrow strip along the Pacific coast. The length of this strip is not more than 720 kilometers. And it is located at an altitude of 600-900 meters above sea level. Sequoia (photo shown in the article) is in dire need of a humid climate, and therefore the maximum distance it can take away from the coast is 48 kilometers, remaining in the zone of influence of moist sea air. In other conditions, it simply can not exist.

Mammoth tree: interesting facts

The live fallen tree of the sequoia does not perish, but continues to grow, using its shoots for this. If no one or nothing prevents them, then after a while they will turn into independent trees. Most of the groups of these plants were formed in such a simple way. Each such family of trees is formed from the non-dead remains of ancestor. As a rule, young plants grow around the old stump, forming a circle. If you analyze the genetic material of the mini-grove, you can determine that it is the same for the stump, and for the whole tree.

Mammoth giant has one peculiarity - to drop in hot periods not only pine needles, but also whole branches. In such an interesting way, he reacts to the heat.

The largest trees that have survived to this day have their own names. So, there are "General Sherman", "Father of the Forests", "General Grant" and others. The mammoth tree "Father of the Forests" no longer exists, but its description has been preserved, from which it is known that the plant reached 135 meters in height, and the diameter of the trunk at the base was 12 meters.

But the sequoia (photo is given in the article) "General Sherman" has a height of about 83 meters. It is estimated that the plant has 1500 cubic meters of fine wood, and the trunk at the base has a diameter of 11 meters. To transport such a tree, it would take a train of 25 cars.

Where can I see the redwoods?

To see what a mammoth tree looks like, you do not need to fly to another continent, just visit the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in the Crimea (on the South Coast). The two largest trees grow on the 9th and 7th curtains of the Upper Arboretum Park. One of them reaches 42.5 meters in height, and the trunk's circumference is 610 centimeters. Both plants were planted in 1886, and seeds of future seedlings were obtained in 1881. It is difficult to imagine, but today the age of trees is 136 years.

Wood

As we already mentioned, the sequoia has fine wood and at the same time grows fast enough. Therefore, at present it is grown in forestry. Lightweight, durable, non-rotting wood is widely used as a building and carpentry material. From it, furniture, telegraph poles, sleepers, tiles, paper are made. The complete absence of odor makes it possible to use it in the food and tobacco industries. From it, boxes and boxes for tobacco and cigars, barrels for honey are made.

In addition, the sequoia is also used as an ornamental plant, planting in gardens, parks and reserves. It has taken root in many countries of the world, including in the south-west of Europe, where the plant was introduced in the middle of the 19th century.

Instead of an afterword

Mammoth tree - an amazing and majestic plant that has come down to us from the depths of centuries. Alongside such giants, a man seems an incredibly small creature, but at the same time it was the human influence that had a disastrous effect on the number of these incredible plants. Unfortunately, now it is not possible to restore the former quantity of mammoth tree plantations, the task of the present generation is to preserve the remaining historic plants and prevent their death.