Washington tree
Encyclopedia
The Washington tree is a giant sequoia
located in the Giant Forest Grove
in Tulare County, California
, within Sequoia National Park
. It is named after George Washington
, first President of the United States
. The Washington tree was the second largest tree in the world (only the General Sherman tree
was larger) until its partial collapse in January 2005.
and University of Washington
. The tree was 253.7 feet (77.3 m) tall, with a basal diameter of 29.9 feet (9.1 m). Its total volume was 49550 ft3, including the main stem 47930 ft3 and the 46 largest branches 1620 ft3. The scientists discovered a large cavity in the trunk
of the tree, measuring 115 feet (35.1 m) in height by 10 feet (3 m) in diameter. The cavity was accessible only by a hole situated 190 feet (57.9 m) above the ground. The significance of this finding is that the volume of wood in the tree had been greatly overestimated by previous measurements.
damaged the crown
of the tree. National Park Service
officials allowed the fire to burn without human intervention. The tree lost a large portion of its crown as a result of this fire, reducing its height to about 229 feet (69.8 m) feet.
The structurally weakened tree partially collapsed in January 2005, as the result of a heavy snow load in the remaining portion of its crown. The tree lost more than half its height, most of its branches, and much of the trunk, including the entire hollow upper portion of the trunk. It is now 115 feet (35.1 m) high, with only a few branches living near the top of the tree.
The Washington tree is no longer one of the top ten largest giant sequoias, although the National Park Service still lists it as the second largest, due to current documentation policy (trees are calculated as if they did not suffer damage). Even in its damaged state, the tree may not be dying, as it still has half a dozen significant branches. Many other sequoias have survived with less foliage and the tree might live decades or centuries longer.
Sequoiadendron
Sequoiadendron giganteum is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia sempervirens and...
located in the Giant Forest Grove
Giant Forest
The Giant Forest, famed for its giant sequoia trees, is within Sequoia National Park. This montane forest, situated at over above mean sea level in the western Sierra Nevada of California, covers an area of...
in Tulare County, California
Tulare County, California
Tulare County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Fresno. Sequoia National Park is located in the county, as are part of Kings Canyon National Park, in its northeast corner , and part of Mount Whitney, on its eastern border...
, within Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is a national park in the southern Sierra Nevada east of Visalia, California, in the United States. It was established on September 25, 1890. The park spans . Encompassing a vertical relief of nearly , the park contains among its natural resources the highest point in the...
. It is named after George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, first President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. The Washington tree was the second largest tree in the world (only the General Sherman tree
General Sherman (tree)
The General Sherman is a giant sequoia tree located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park in Tulare County, California. By volume, it is the largest known living single stem tree on Earth...
was larger) until its partial collapse in January 2005.
Prior to 1999
With a height of 254.7 feet (77.6 m), circumference at ground level of 101.1 feet (30.8 m), and an estimated volume of 47850 ft3, the Washington tree was widely regarded to be the second largest living single-stem tree in the world—only the nearby General Sherman tree was larger.1999 reassessment
The tree was studied in 1999 by scientists from Humboldt State UniversityHumboldt State University
Humboldt State University is the northernmost campus of the California State University system, located in Arcata within Humboldt County, California, USA. The main campus, nestled at the edge of a coast redwood forest, is situated on Preston hill overlooking Arcata and with commanding views of...
and University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. The tree was 253.7 feet (77.3 m) tall, with a basal diameter of 29.9 feet (9.1 m). Its total volume was 49550 ft3, including the main stem 47930 ft3 and the 46 largest branches 1620 ft3. The scientists discovered a large cavity in the trunk
Trunk (botany)
In botany, trunk refers to the main wooden axis of a tree that supports the branches and is supported by and directly attached to the roots. The trunk is covered by the bark, which is an important diagnostic feature in tree identification, and which often differs markedly from the bottom of the...
of the tree, measuring 115 feet (35.1 m) in height by 10 feet (3 m) in diameter. The cavity was accessible only by a hole situated 190 feet (57.9 m) above the ground. The significance of this finding is that the volume of wood in the tree had been greatly overestimated by previous measurements.
2003 to present
A second and more significant development occurred in September 2003, when a fire caused by a lightning strikeLightning strike
Lightning strikes are electrical discharges caused by lightning, typically during thunderstorms.Humans can be hit by lightning directly when outdoors. Contrary to popular notion, there is no 'safe' location outdoors. People have been struck in sheds and makeshift shelters...
damaged the crown
Crown (botany)
The crown of a plant refers to the totality of the plant's aboveground parts, including stems, leaves, and reproductive structures. A plant canopy consists of one or more plant crowns growing in a given area....
of the tree. National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
officials allowed the fire to burn without human intervention. The tree lost a large portion of its crown as a result of this fire, reducing its height to about 229 feet (69.8 m) feet.
The structurally weakened tree partially collapsed in January 2005, as the result of a heavy snow load in the remaining portion of its crown. The tree lost more than half its height, most of its branches, and much of the trunk, including the entire hollow upper portion of the trunk. It is now 115 feet (35.1 m) high, with only a few branches living near the top of the tree.
The Washington tree is no longer one of the top ten largest giant sequoias, although the National Park Service still lists it as the second largest, due to current documentation policy (trees are calculated as if they did not suffer damage). Even in its damaged state, the tree may not be dying, as it still has half a dozen significant branches. Many other sequoias have survived with less foliage and the tree might live decades or centuries longer.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the Washington tree before the 2003 fire were:| Metres | Feet | |
|---|---|---|
| Height above base | 77.63 | 254.7 |
| Circumference at ground | 30.81 | 101.1 |
| Diameter 1.5 m above base | 7.92 | 26.0 |
| Diameter 18 m (60') above base | 5.2 | 16.8 |
| Diameter 55 m (180') above base | 4.3 | 14.0 |
| Height of first large branch above the base | 36.4 | 120.0 |
| Estimated bole volume (m³.ft³) | 1,355.0 | 47,850.0 |