would you believe...

...that this timber is valued for his light weight...!?! :eek: :eek: :eek:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomdotcom/397280462/

 

....and it's nearly as old as Mrs. S. :D

 

"From the redwood forests, to the gulf stream waters...This land was made for you and me"

I've seen some Sequoias in Scotland, a lovely sight, but not as big as that.

 

Hi Terrier.......Lovely lyrics from the late great Woodie Guthrie.........This land is your land.

 

I was lucky enough to actually see the "General Sherman Tree" back in 1985.
I suspect its grown a bit since then. :D

Interestingly, the only reason these Giant redwoods still exist is because the timber is light and brittle, had it been stronger the whole lot would probably have been felled in the 1800s.
The Coast redwood is the main timber tree I believe, taller but not quite as massive.

 

I was told the same thing that when the first few were felled, they just shattered into matchsticks and so they were just left. Their longevity is partly due to the fact that forest fires abound in the summer that kill off any disease and predators that may attack the tree. The thick, damp bark protects the tree from the fire.Nice story but I can't vouch for the authenticity of it, just what I've read.