out of small things...

Dad and I recieved quite the education while touring a small grove of giant Sequoia trees. Here are some interesting facts. Notice the picture on the right. Dad is holding two pinecones. The giant Sequoia trees are the largest living organism on the earth. They grow to be over 300 ft. tall. They live for up to 3000 years. Which pinecone do you think belongs to the Sequoias? Wrong, it is the small one. This pinecone is about the size of an egg. This pinecone can stay hanging from it's tree for 20 years before it finally falls to the ground. For 100 years the forest dept. had contained all forest fires to protect the forest. Finally about 15 years ago they learned that natural forest fires are essential to the forest. One thing they learned is that the giant sequoias rely on fire to propagate thier spiecies. The seed inside of the pinecone is the size of an oat. The pinecone is small and very tight. In order for it to open up, it rely's on heat. The forest fires provide the extreme heat needed to pop the cone open and release the seed. Also, the seed requires pure soil to germinate. All brush and leaves and debri must be burned away in order for the seedling to take root. So, next time life feels way too hot, remember, the extreme heat is the refiners fire and may be the only thing that can open you up to your greatest potential.

The giant Sequoias are also fire resistant and drought resistant. They once endured a 200 year drought. Thier water based instead of resin based and so it is very hard to kill them with fire. I loved to hear about these magnificant trees. I'll show you some other pictures.