A Giant Sequoia Crashes To The Ground In California's Sierra Nevadas

Decades Ago Among Giant Sequoias

I have only walked among the giant Sequoias of Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, once, decades ago. I remember being very impressed over how HUGE the trees were in the General Grant Grove, I think that is what it was called, in Kings Canyon National Park.

This week I got a mailing from the Sierra Club with an urgent plea to act to help stop proposed logging in the Sequoia National Forest.

I was appalled at the idea that California would allow Sequoia forests to be logged.

And then this morning I learned that, almost in protest, a 1,500 year old Giant Sequoia toppled over, crushing a bridge and blocking a trail, creating a 300 foot long roadblock.

The Fallen Giant Sequoia

Now a debate has erupted over what to do with the dead tree. Callous sorts are suggesting it be turned into a massive amount of firewood. Others want to leave it where it lies. Some want to tunnel under it, or bridge over it.

A Sequoia has not fallen in the Sequoia National Forest, previously, where its falling has created such a dilemma.

The fallen tree was part of the Sierra Nevada's Trail of 100 Giants, and was one of the biggest, previously standing in Long Meadow Grove in the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Giant Sequoias can live 4,000 years, give or take a year, making this newly fallen Sequoia not even middle-aged.