The California Big Trees must ever remain the supreme attraction of the
park, although for many the mountain scenery and the fishing are added
allurements. The Big Tree (_Sequoia gigantea_) is sometimes confused
with the redwood (_Sequoia sempervirens_), the smaller species of
Sequoia found only in the Coast Range of California. While _gigantea_
approaches 40 feet in base diameter, _sempervirens_ rarely exceeds 20
feet. The wood is similar in color and texture, but the foliage is
distinct, and the bark of the Big Tree is much thicker and of a rich red
color, instead of a dull brown. The most distinctive characteristic is
that the Big Tree is reproduced only from the seed while the redwood
when cut down sprouts from the stump.
There are many world-famous Big Trees in the Sequoia National Park, of
which the General Sherman is the largest and best known. But there are
scores or hundreds unnamed and almost equal to the General Sherman in
size and majesty.
In addition to those noted for their size, the National Park Service has
named and signed many of singular form, burned by fire, struck by
lightning, or fallen in strange fashion. The trees which should be seen
by all visitors are:
=_The General Sherman Tree._=--The largest, and perhaps the oldest
living thing. Discovered by James Wolverton, a hunter and trapper, on
August 7, 1879, at which time he named the tree in honor of General
Sherman, under whom he had served during the Civil War as a first
lieutenant in the Ninth Indiana Cavalry.
The age of the tree is unknown. It is estimated by those who have made a
study of the subject as between 3,000 and 4,000 years. During this time
it has withstood the ravages of countless fires, and, though greatly
damaged, it has continued to flourish, and today produces thousands of
cones bearing fertile seed from which many seedlings have been grown.
The results of the fire damage are seen in the great wounds at the base
of the tree. Through repeated fires the sap-pumping system has been
damaged, and portions of the top have died; only 40 percent of live wood
is in contact with the ground. The Sequoia, however, has such
recuperative power that in time these fire scars will be completely
healed.
The dimensions of this tree are as follows:
_Feet_
Height above mean base 272.4
Base circumference 101.6
Greatest base diameter 36.5
Mean base diameter 32.7
Diameter 60 feet above ground 17.5
Diameter 120 feet above ground 17.0
Height of largest branch 130.0
Diameter of largest branch 6.8
For years there have been rival claims by various localities for the
honor of possessing the largest tree in the world. To settle these
claims the California State Chamber of Commerce and Fresno County
Chamber of Commerce conducted, in 1931, a tree-measuring expedition in
Sequoia and General Grant National Parks and vicinity.
[Illustration: GENERAL SHERMAN, THE KING OF THE SEQUOIAS]
The result of the work of several engineers gave the following
comparative volumes of the trunks of the four largest trees measured,
exclusive of limbs:
_Board feet_
General Sherman Tree 600,120
General Grant Tree 542,784
Boole Tree 496,728
Hart Tree 410,952
The General Sherman Tree was shown to contain 57,336 board feet more in
volume than its nearest competitor and the King of the Sequoias retained
his crown.
=_The Chimney Trees._=--There are two well-known Chimney Trees, one
being on the east side of Sherman Creek close to the trail from Sherman
Tree to Alta Peak, which is now the best preserved. The other Chimney
Tree is at the northeast end of Crescent Meadow and was badly burned
several years ago through the carelessness of somebody who left a
campfire burning. The Chimney Tree near Sherman Camp is a remarkable
example of vitality, as it is thrusting out new branches despite the
fact that its vitals are eaten away by fire.
=_The Black Chamber._=--This is probably the most notable example of
vitality on the part of a Sequoia in the forest. About one-thirtieth of
the bark remains, and the whole interior has been eaten away by fire;
nevertheless, the tree still lives and thrusts out new branches each
year. It is located along the Crescent Meadow Road.