General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGiant sequoias:
Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2026, 03:11 PM - Edit history (1)
The forest is the system: Not the individual trees. Many people try to build resilience by making themselves bigger, stronger, more independent. They stockpile resources, they build higher walls, they try to go it alone. HOWEVER, We The People are stronger together. Unite!
— Peggy Stuart (@peggystuart.bsky.social) 2026-02-16T18:12:36.889Z
Traildogbob
(12,819 posts)I spent my life teaching Forest Ecology. In the Appalachian forest types. I was blessed with a scholarship to spend a month in the Northern Forest with the International Dendrology Society. After retirement, 4 years ago to have beeb there. Still blown away at those forests. Humbolt professors toured us through parts. As did many scientists and professionals through the month.
I brought John Muirs spirit back we me. The Mountains are Calling, And I went.
This picture is just so cool.
Thank you for sharing.
Gotta get back there. On my dime next time😥
applegrove
(131,311 posts)Traildogbob
(12,819 posts)Teaching for all day classes in the great mountains here, but learning as well.
Brother Buzz
(39,758 posts)Or the Sierra Sequoia gigantia?
Traildogbob
(12,819 posts)Stayed in San Fran the first few days then headed up the coast to Oregon, staying a day or few along the route, stayed in Yosemite for 5 days then came back down the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the trip, and lodging back down to San Fran. We were taken deep off trail in the two big species and had tree scientist lecture on the whole community of these ecosystems. The husband and wife pair of professors from Humbolt have been in National Geographic for their life long research in the canopies of the sequoias and now the root communities.
This Dendrology Society are full of wealthy people from all over the world. Wealthy people can be on the ride side or our Natural Resources. Real tree huggers. And they loved their wine and fine lodging. I benefitted greatly. It was a gift to show appreciation of a career teaching the Forests and their importance to younguns that will get out and protect and manage this precious resource.
Impressed with your use of the Latin binomial nomenclature.
Well done. My Students had to learn 110 species by Latin name, leaves and in winter twigs, buds and bark, even taste and smell for some species.
Wildlifers had to do the same with mammals, birds, fish, bugs, reptiles as well as trees.
You leave there speaking a whole different language.
Yea, my career was the best I could ever had wished for. And the Navy and GI bill made it possible. Without a mountain of debt. Not much pay at all, 60 hour weeks, but I learned to live on very little. And raise a daughter alone. Which is great training for retirement.
And the gift of that trip was an amazing icing on the cake.
Gotta get back the big trees without a crowd and on my time schedule. Hang in Muir, I am coming. I hear those mountains calling me back.
Brother Buzz
(39,758 posts)Cautiously, this fifth generation Californian has never visited the Sierra redwoods.
calimary
(89,435 posts)PufPuf23
(9,733 posts)My only quibble is that the picture is of Giant Sequoia but the narrative says the tallest trees in the World. The tallest trees in the World are the coast redwood. Can tell Giant Sequoia because of bark, understory trees and all that snow. Does snow at times in coast redwoods at the upper elevation and easternmost area of the natural range, like today. My home is about 15 crow miles from the Tall Tree Grove of Redwood National Park on the Klamath River. During lunch at senior meals today, the cook's son called her from Bald Hills Road stuck in fresh snow without 4WD nor chains. Bald Hills Road starts at Orick and transects RWNP to the Klamath at Martin's Ferry near Weitchpec on the Yurok Reservation.
I was a forester by education and heart but have done zero forestry since 2003 and before that not full time since 1995.
Traildogbob
(12,819 posts)The tallest is the Coastal called the Hyperion.
The biggest by volume is the grand ole General Sherman by Volume the Giant Sequoia.
Sounds like you live in Paradise. Both species are Breath taking. I also got to see a pure grove of the oldest, Bristle Cone pine, as well. Such a great treat to get out there and see the species we also taught but never got to see other than pictures. Our cone collection was world class so we had those specimens from west coast to teach.
I need two months to take it all in next trip.
Ilsa
(64,093 posts)I have the soft cover now. Been looking forward to learning about their network.
GiqueCee
(3,699 posts)... through one of those babies 50-odd years ago. I think it was called the Colonel something or other. Memory fails me at the moment. But damn! They are majestic!
calimary
(89,435 posts)The word magnificent barely starts to describe them.
Figarosmom
(10,859 posts)You could say they are holding hands to survive.
Lovely vid.