Estimated to be almost 3,000 years old, the Grizzly Giant sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove of Yosemite National Park stands 209 feet (63.7 m) tall. As you walk around the tree, you’ll notice it has a bit of a lean, and that’s not just due to the wide-angle-lens perspective in this photo. Back in the early 1900s there were fears the tree might fall over, so stabilizing cables were proposed. The cables were never installed and the tree remains in place. The lean could be due to the giant sequoia’s root system. Sequoia trees have a shallow root system but the roots themselves extend quite a distance from the parent tree. These roots intertwine with other tree roots, and those other roots may be helping Grizzly Giant to stay upright. It’s sort of like grasping arms or clasping hands with someone else to keep from falling while looking over a steep precipice.
- By Rebecca Latson - August 8th, 2022 3:00am
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Visited Yosemite in May. Amazing beauty!! The giant sequoias are incredible. If you have never been you should really put it on your list.
As Yosemite volunteers for 10 years , my wife and I did the "Ranger talk" on giant Sequoias from the trailhead up to the Grizzly Giant. We really miss those days.
We were there a few weeks ago and even though the Big Trees were magnificent, it was a bit shocking to see how many trees were destroyed. I understand there was a fire last year and hurricane winds earlier this year the damage is astounding.
Chuck: Could you please expand upon what you saw for damage there?