Giant sequoia

The giant sequoia (scientific name: Sequoiadendron giganteum ) is a coniferous of the family of the Taxodiaceae (traditional Classification) or Cupressaceae (phylogenetic Classification). It is sometimes indicated under the name of Wellingtonia which is in fact its old name of kind.

Description

The sequoia appeared on Earth 200 million years ago. During the great glaciations of the Quaternary , it disappeared from Europe and remained confined in California. The sequoia is largest and the largest tree of planet, in front of the Baobab, large but of reduced size.

The largest known specimen is the “General Sherman”, in the National park of Sequoia (the United States of America), high of 83 m for a circumference of 30 m, a volume of 1.400 m ³ and an estimated weight of 1.200 tons. The characters at the base of the tree give an idea of gigantism.

Other specimens exceed the 100 meters height, such the “Large Tree” (Tall Tree) which is located at Prairie Creek (112,11 meters). But the record height is held by a tree baptized “Hyperion”, name of Titan of the Greek mythology, which measures 115,5 meters height. He was discovered during the summer 2006 by Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor in the National Redwood Park in California.

A sequoia of more than 2000 years is preserved at the national Muséum of natural history of Paris.

The sequoia is also characterized by its longevity (certain specimens exceed the 2.000 years). Its initial growth is vigorous and vertical. Beyond 100 years, it tends to develop rather in diameter. Its bark, very thick and carved, is of reddish color, from where its English name of redwood (red wood). Deprived of resin, it protects the tree from fire. Its medium of predilection is the deep and wet ground, at an altitude ranging between 1200 and 2400 Mr.

Its name, “sequoia”, come from the Indian chief See-Quayah, inventor of the alphabet Cherokee. The name “wellingtonia” was given to him in the honor of the duke of Wellington, general victorious British of Napoleon i to the Bataille of Waterloo.

Nowadays, the sequoia was acclimatized in Europe and often planted in the public parks or the large private residences, because of its imposing pace. The majority of the sequoias in France seldom reach the 40 m, the fact is that most of these trees was planted at the beginning of the 20th century. But certain specimens which were planted at the time of their introduction in France (in 1850) can measure of 50 m to 70 m, such as that of the park of the castle of Courson (60 m), of Versailles (50 m in height, more 10m of circumference). In the France, largest measures (only) 4,2 m in diameter and 13,3 m of circumference with 1 m of the ground. It is in Chalus, Vienna.

Other characteristics

the Feuille S are needles in form pointed, persistent and spiral, pointed, green grisâtre, a length from 3 to 8 cm. They release an anise odor when one them ruffled.
monoïque Tree. The Fleur S males, located at the end of the branches, are tiny and yellowish (March-April). The flowers female, ovoid, are set up at the top of a small scaly and brilliant stem. They give Fruit S which mature in two years and are presented in the form of ovoid cones from 4 to 7 cm, made up of scales having the form of flattened rhombuses.
wood itself is of rather sharp red color. It is used in joinery in North America but is not very frequent in Europe.

Dating by Dendrochronology

The fact that this tree can reach 3266 years makes it possible by the study of its rings of growth to make a dating of any piece of wood located in the vicinity. That made it possible to make a correction to the carbon dating.

List of the 12 larger giant sequoias

Statute

Remain in a natural state only in 72 settlements of California, of which some very limited as individuals.

Use

In Gemmothérapie, one uses the young person-growths of spring of the sequoia as a useful complement for the Ostéoporose at the woman.

See too

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