One of the most fascinating things about the redwoods and sequoias is their age. Some of them are thousands of years old. We would like to share 7 of the oldest trees in Northern, CA.
“No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe”
— John Steinbeck
That awestruck wonder for these majestic forests is drawn from deep within your soul. They have been here for centuries, basking in the warm California sun, drinking the clear waters that rush down to the sea, and feeding on the rich soil of the forest floor. You can feel the greatness of these elderly trees
Muir Sag
Although this old sequoia is no longer living, it is thought to have been over 3,500 years old when it died. The interesting thing is that it is still standing, though only about 140 feet tall. The Muir Sag is located in the Converse Basin of the Giant Sequoia National Monument in Sierra Nevada, CA.
President
As this tree was named after President Warren G. Harding in 1923, it is also known as the Warren Harding. It is the oldest living tree at over 3,300 years. It stands at almost 250 feet in the Sequoia National Park.
Washington
The Washington has lived about 2,850 years. At one time, it was also one of the largest trees located in Sequoia National Park. Yet, in 2003, the Washington was damaged by a lightning strike and lost more than 25 feet. Already weakened by that damage, its crown collapsed in 2005. Even though the Washington has suffered some devastating blows, it is still living and expected to continue living for quite a few decades.
Robert E. Lee
The Robert E. Lee, located in Kings Canyon National Park, is over 2,500 years old. This tree is also noteworthy as it’s the 11th largest tree in the world, the 10th largest redwood, and the 2nd largest tree in Kings Canyon National Park.
Mother of the Forest
This beautiful ancient tree is an example of the destruction man can have on nature. In the mid-1800s, chunks of this magnificent tree were removed to recreate a replica in the New York Crystal Palace. Shortly after the bark was removed, the Mother of the Forest died. She would have been over 2,500 years old. She died because her bark was removed and could not protect her from a fire.
General Sherman
The General Sherman is truly an awe-inspiring tree to see. Its age has been said to be over 2,700 years old, but may even be over 3,000 years old. It is also the largest tree in the world. Can you imagine? There are trillions of trees on earth and Northern California boasts the largest! It stands about 275 feet tall and its trunk is over 20 feet wide at 35 feet above the ground. It has been said that it holds over 2 billion leaves and over 7,500 cones. These stats are truly amazing.
Grizzly Giant
The Grizzly Giant has been said to be at least 2,400 but is possibly over 2,900 years old. It is the oldest known tree in Yosemite National Park and stands over 200 feet. At first, this tree was named the Grizzled Giant but later became known as the Grizzly Giant.
Our list of 7 of the oldest trees in Northern, CA is a definite must-see. However, a couple of other trees worth mentioning are Hyperion, the world’s tallest tree, and Helios, the second tallest tree that is also one of the oldest at over 2,000 years old.
At The Redwood Riverwalk, we’re proud of our amazing redwoods and sequoias. We even have a mural dedicated to their majestic beauty. Come for a visit and see for yourself how impressive they are. We’re a place where friends take care of friends. Check availability today.
