Giant sequoia falls, raising questions about what to do next

Los Angeles Times ^ | October 29, 2011 | Bettina Boxall

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The giant sequoia lies across the popular Trail of 100 Giants at Sequoia National Forest, Calif. No one was hurt when it fell. (Sequoia National Forest / September 30, 2011)

Along the Sierra Nevada's famed Trail of 100 Giants, the mammoth sequoia had stood sentry since King Arthur's knights gathered at the Round Table.

It witnessed the arrival of the first European settlers and the flurry of miners in search of gold. The onset of the Medieval Warm Period and the passing of the Little Ice Age. It stood, unperturbed, through the Great War and the one that followed.

Then a month ago, as a handful of amazed tourists looked on, it toppled — crushing a bridge over a small stream and blocking the path.

Now, the U.S. Forest Service must decide what to do.

Slice a big hole in the 300-foot-long roadblock? Go around it? Over it? Under it?

When you're dealing with a 1,500-year-old sequoia in a national monument, the questions aren't just logistical. They're environmental, emotive and potentially legal.

Officials closed the popular tourist trail, cleared the debris and solicited ideas from the public on how to deal with the fallen giant — actually two trees fused at the base.

Among the 30 or so suggestions: Reroute the trail. Tunnel under the trunks. Carve steps and build a bridge over them. Sell what would be one heck of a lot of firewood.

"This has not happened in the Sequoia National Forest before," said public affairs officer Denise Alonzo, explaining the indecision.........

In considering its options, the Forest Service wants to keep the paved path accessible to the disabled and make sure nothing is done to damage the root systems of surrounding trees, Alonzo said........

[maine-iac7]

They could cut a pass through and then, on either side, make rooms for visitors to rest - even get out of showers, should they get caught.

I once went through a ‘cabin’ with kitchen, sleeping area, living room area and b’rm - all built inside on of these. It was charming.

[late bloomer]

Sir Immerito, I never did call The Great Sequoia a Tree..
:-)
Do you realy think I have offended Treebeard? If so I will certainly make amends.

[JRios1968]

Call these guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A52p9jc-gOo

or these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zey8567bcg

[Immerito]

I suppose if you tell him the location of the Entwives, he will be inclined to forgive you. ;-)

[Texas Songwriter]

A voice of sanity. Thank you.

[BagCamAddict]

26 feet in diameter (note on bottom of photo). Truly amazing.

[goat granny]

agree 100% people like to make mountains our of mole hills as the old saying goes...Do you ever get the feeling sometimes that the earth is the insane asylum of the universe.

[goat granny]

Like the large letters, helps my old eyes from straining to read..Who came up with the idea that caps and large letters was yelling....why do we all follow such silly idea’s...My keyboard doesn’t know how to yell...its strickly a human function..GG

[101voodoo]

Great idea but tables should be exclusively for WALL STREET Corporations.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Are you aware that some evergreens require fire to reseed?” <<

.
That canard was proven false in the ‘60s.
.

>> “Are you aware that some evergreens require fire to reseed?” <<

.
That is the kind of ignorance that is to be expected from someone that has never read the book of Genesis.

.
>> “Do you seriously think that trees would not exist without humans? You think that the first human procured some magic tree seed and planted the first one ever?” <<

.
See the previous answer.

.

>> “Human beings are to the Earth what fleas are to a dog.” <<

.
The depth of your ignorance becomes ever more apparent. Humans are God’s stated purpose for creating the Earth, and he directed us to tame it.

Everything on Earth is subject to man following God’s instruction to subdue it.

>> “Nature is an awesome thing and it damn sure is bigger and more powerful than you or me.” <<

.
You accidentally got one right, but for the wrong reason.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “I would also suggest getting it up off the ground to retard rotting” <<

.
Have you ever wandered through a sequoia forest?

Large trunks do not rot away, they slowly sink into the soil somewhat, but remain useful for lumber for centuries.

[editor-surveyor]

A check of his posting history will answer most of your questions.

[editor-surveyor]

Most redwoods remain alive after falling.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “26 feet in diameter (note on bottom of photo).” <<

.
The tree in the photo can’t be more than 10’ diameter at the point that it crosses the trail. The trail is about 6’ wide.

[BagCamAddict]

I was talking about the tree in the photo in the post that I had replied to, not the tree in the article.

[txhurl]

So, a good enough dirtpile over the roots should save it? I mean a REALLY good dirtpile, with lots of stone and humus practically building a cairn over the rootball?

[Hot Tabasco]

I love the sound of burning, crackling wood. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

I love the smell of burning firewood and really do miss the outdoorsy smell of burning leaves in the fall........

[momtothree]

The smell of burning leaves is one of my childhood. It smelled so good! Men in the neighborhood would either make a big pile or put them into a metal trashcan. Now... we can’t burn them anymore but each Fall.. I throw a liberal handful of them into the fireplace. Smells like Fall and it is wonderful!

[Hot Tabasco]

It’s amazing that you can’t see the sadness of a giant tree dying after all those years

Judging from your abundance of empathy for a dead tree, it's obvious you're a Canadian.........Think of the number of hockey sticks that could be made. LOL!

[Delta Dawn]

Agreed