Why We Keep Wrapping Giant Sequoias in Tin Foil
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From California Wildfires to Kentucky floods, these are modern environmental problems. Problems that humans have a hand in creating, but also ones in which we can have a hand in solving.
This video is about one such problem - wildfires that threaten Giant Sequoias. You've probably seen images of huge sequoia trees in California wrapped in tin foil. We're literally wrapping Giant Sequoias in blankets. These measures are taken to protect them from wildfires. But the strange thing is, Giant Sequoias, like those found in Sequoia National Park, are ADAPTED to live with fire. Why should they need protection from them?
Because the fires they are experiencing, the ones we've had a hand in creating, are burning too hot and too destructively to benefit the sequoias. Instead, these fires are threatening the very survival of the species itself.
I cover it all here: how Giant Sequoias grow so big, how Giant Sequoias are adapted to fire, how Giant Sequoias are threatened by wildfires, and how to save Giant Sequoias. I hope you enjoy.
More on prescribed burns and fire suppression here: • How to Fight a Wildfire
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Sources:
www.nps.gov/articles/000/wild...
www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature...
www.npr.org/2021/09/20/103897...
• Giants of a Changing L...
www.latimes.com/opinion/story...
www.savetheredwoods.org/redwo...
www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature...
www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc...
www.nytimes.com/2022/07/23/us...
Images:
Famousredwoods.com
ABC News
NBC News
National Park Service (Anthony Caprio, Joshua Flickinger, M Quinn, Greg Litten)
Wikimedia Commons (Mikes Clark, Marty Aligata, miriam.mollerus, David Fulmer, Jrmichae)
Virginia Tech
The Press Enterprise
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These prescribed fires are so important in so many ecosystems of western North America, where we're suppressed natural fire. But forest managers so often face pushback from communities nearby. Education is key to help people understand the benefits of controlled burns, both for the environment and for their own safety.
@@brandon9172 it's true logging impacts it, by creating monocultures and single-aged young forests. but it's definitely not the only reason, only part of it, and these prescribed burns are still necessary in places that have not been extensively logged.
The main reasons is actually fire suppression, because we have put out every fire for literally generations. We didn't want it to burn our stuff (including trees for logging but also homes and recreational areas and so on). Fire was considered only a destructive force, not realizing it also kept the forest healthy. Just like the removal of predators, forest management considered stopping forest fires to be conservation.
If those natural fires had been allowed to burn naturally, the levels of fuel in the forest (dead stuff, shrub, etc.) would have remained low, and natural fires would continue to be smaller and less harmful. And these giant sequoias are mature trees, some of the tallest in the world, and yet because of years of fire suppression even they are not tall enough to be out of the reach of the fire.
However, it's not true that prescribed fire and controlled burns have only become necessary after logging. The myth of the wild, pristine, untouched forest is rooted in colonialism, and coming from Muir's writings and others like him. Native people have been using controlled burning, both managing natural fires and starting fires, to manage the forests of western North America for hundreds of years. Some ecosystems like oak savanna are terribly endangered now because where they haven't been converted to farmland, they no longer burn. Instead of open grassland dotted with large oaks that survived regular burns, young oaks and bushes continue to grow, shading out endemic grassland plants that have become, in some cases, critically endangered.
These forests existed long us, but not long before fire. They have always burned, and must continue to burn to remain healthy. Because of logging and climate change and years of fire suppression, fires are worse and more deadly. Controlled burning may help us reach a place where they are not anymore (along with reducing emissions by... a lot, or none of it will matter).
But regular small fires are not a bandaid solution, they are a natural part of a healthy forest that must continue for as long as these forests exist.
Couldn't agree more on education! Basically the reason I made this video (and this entire channel lol)
Just a quick note from a logger and amateur logging historian: giant sequoia logging was not very extensive in my understanding, and its in their name. It was just a logistical nightmare to get them to a mill given their massive size. Most of them were cut around the late 1880s to early 1900s, in an era before true mechanization. In most cases it took an entire railroad being built to get just one or two trees out, using a steam donkey to load the logs. And that's if you could cut one down. The largest crosscut saw I know of was a 21'er made from 3 smaller (8' I think) saws. It was rarely used for obvious reasons and could've cut a max diameter of about 19', meaning only "small" sequoias were ever logged. To add a little more context, loggers back then were only paid based on the amount of wood they got to the mill (board feet) and the time it took didn't matter. It wasn't advantageous in most instances to cut sequoias over other trees given the time, money, and effort it would take not just to cut, but also move logs of such size
.
This is obviously not to say that they weren't cut or that it didn't negatively impact the species, but to your point, the threats facing these trees today is what will (if anything) make them extinct
Far more extensively logged were the huge Douglas-firs. Historical records and studies indicate they may even have grown taller than the sequoias and redwoods, but, though certainly massive, they didn't achieve quite the same girth. Very few extremely tall Douglas-fir are left, even in the patches of old growth that remain. Before logging, 400 foot trees may have been common. Today the tallest known is the Brummit Fir.
Shout out to the Douglas Fir! I love seeing them spotted throughout the Redwoods
Sequoia wood is also relatively fragile; I think it was described as matchstick wood.
@@Tser no hyperion is
@@uuproverlord8324 I was referring to the tallest Douglas fir. The Brummit Fir is the tallest living Douglas fir we've found.
There are many trees of other species that are taller than it, since logging took down so many of the tallest Douglas firs so long ago.
I also love big trees ❤️
I really enjoyed the variation in your video editing! Great to see you stepping in front of the camera! Would love to see you go on location and do some interviews with local experts for a future video!
Thanks John, much appreciated! I'm working up to appearing on camera more, so it's nice to see such a positive response to it. Definitely want to travel more as well!
I can't thank you enough for at least attempting to express what you did about the forest. I live in North West Oregon in the Willamette valley in Benton County and we have old growth forest patches around here and I hike in the woods as my main hobby and it's become such a therapeutic thing for my life. I dealt with addiction in my youth and when I was 23 I finally said enough and got sober. I hit a point where I had to find a way to motivate myself to get outside and get active again after going through a very long and difficult withdrawals and a detoxing period so I found that I could use Nature as a way of exercise, therapy, and it became so much more. It helped me with so many things, by observation and working on my perspective it transferred to things I could use in difficult situations in my life. I started bringing a camera with me and then I developed a new hobby of photography and that actually ended up taking off and I had a handful of art shows, won a independent photographer award from a national geographic contest for one of my photos I submitted. (which blew my mind) and that was in my beginning of getting into learning photography. Since then I've sold a bunch but I only charge affordable prices because I really realized that once I was sober that I truly just loved and got enough reward from the fact that someone else would want to have some of my framed work on there wall in there house. That just meant so much to me since it all just organically happened out of no where from the fact that I got sober. It really makes me appreciate Nature and exploring in the environment and it's surprising how much you can gain from focusing on your perspective abilities and navigation and awareness skills. It's all very beneficial stuff that you get at the same time as getting to enjoy nature. Anyways. I Just really liked what you said about the trees. 👍🏻
Forest management is key, the big trees should be left alone in general but the rest of the forest should be managed.
Like how logging companies tend to work on the 30 year cycle in the US with land where they’ll cut down an area and then replant/manage and then cut down again 30ish years later.
It’s management, but it doesn’t always look pretty when it’s happening so of course a managed situation can become unmanaged quickly.
Thank you as a resident of southern San Joaquin Valley of California I have enjoyed these trees for 64 years. They are the most amazing experience.
Absolutely. It makes me so sad to see the devastation of these groves in recent years and I wanted to make this video to bring awareness to such an important issue. Thanks for watching!
EXCELLENT!! I love this video and the fact you put yourself in it. I look forward to seeing more videos with you included.
Thank you! Big step for me lol
Ive lived in washington all my life. Ive read so many accounts of 400ft+ tall douglas firs in northern washington. Most of the ones that were accessible were cut down in the 1890s. The tallest one that was actually recorded, was the nooksack giant. Cut sometime in i think 1895, it was 465ft tall. Sucks that its gone, but there are so many places in the mountains in washington, and oregon that harbor other 3-400ft tall ones. A lot of them are probably undisclosed due to the possibility of vandalism.
Me and my family drove through the redwoods 6 years ago. Was really cool.
The location of the tallest tree in the world, Hyperion, is undisclosed for this very reason. Such a shame it has come to that. These trees deserve so much more respect.
@@NationalParkDiaries indeed. I also just read somewhere that someone took a dump on one of the redwoods, so now they have it closed off to the public. Stupid people
@@NationalParkDiaries no it was found
@@uuproverlord8324 you're right. What I meant to say was that it's location is restricted at this point. The Park Service closed it off after vandalism and damage to the surrounding area
@@NationalParkDiaries yup 5000 fine
There used to be giant trees in the eastern US the American chestnut tree. Sadly logging and diseases wipe them out.
So unfortunate. I'm grateful for organizations like the American Chestnut Foundation working to restore those beauties to our forests. I read a book a few months ago called "Among the Ancients: Adventures in the Eastern Old-Growth Forests" by Joan Maloof which has some really good stories from the Easts remaining old growth areas. I'd recommend it for fans of big trees, especially in the East!
@@NationalParkDiaries I'm gonna get the book to learn more about these sequoia of the east. Hopefully we can see more of these giants in the future. One of the worst ecological disasters in history.
@@Person12222 Enjoy!
@@NationalParkDiaries and chesnut trees are like one of the best co2 eaters of trees
This is in fact entirely natural. Its important to think of what the consequences of stopping these fires would be.
Another great video. Its one of my life goals to eventually see those giant trees in person and drive a car or bike through that one famous tree. Hopefully the trees can survive so future generations can also enjoy their beauty and magnificence.
Reminds me when i was a teenager i went a a wildlife conversation summer camp in Texas, and i remember spending half a day learning all about prescribed burns, i remember it being called controlled burns different name but same thing.
I don’t know where your from but i have been there twice and it’s one of the greatest national parks on earth
Get there ASAP you won’t regret it!!
California is planning on making a the Great Redwood Trail bike path. Would be a great chance to see them by bike
Thank you! I've seen the redwoods myself, but not the Sequoias. Also a life goal of mine. Best of luck!
👀👀👀
I think its also important to note that the other giant trees of the Sierra such as sugar and ponderosa pines, red fir, and incense cedar, have a much higher mortality rate in these extreme fires than the Sierra redwoods, almost 100%, and I haven't heard anyone else talk about this.
Yes, you're absolutely right. These fires are devastating more than just Sequoias. The forests overall are unhealthy and the same prescribed burn regimes that benefit sequoias will also benefit other species.
Thank you for making this video
Thank you for watching!
They were prescribed burns in areas that were previously oak plains when I lived in Illinois. They were just plains at that point but it got rid of all the invasive grasses
So many ecosystems benefit from them!
I too wish that big trees would solve all of my problems. But while they cannot, I too search them out in times of need.
One of my favorite things to do! They're so comforting!
as a california native, i will never not be in awe with the redwood trees; they do really humble you & make our tiny problems seen so minuscule
Completely agreed!
Before watching the video I'm going to guess it's to help prevent damage from nearby forest fires or it's to stop vandalism
Thank you! Great information
Thanks!
Climate change sure made an impressive snowpack total for 2023. Record!
Thank you
Thanks for watching!
I like big trees
I too like big trees
clear your undergrowth cali
Excellent an informative video, I enjoyed it a great deal. You pointed out how fire can be beneficial, and in some cases essential to the growth of the forest. The sequoias have faced many changes in the climate and still survived. I think they will do the same now if man works with nature and not against it.
Couldn't agree more Joe! We're part of this world and we can have a positive impact on it if we change our attitude towards it! Thanks for watching!
13:53 Is the answer. FFS why does every video on this platform need a 10 minute introduction and background?
Great video Cameron. Losing these beautiful trees is so sad for me. I thought they were protected, guess not. Anyway thanks for the info.
Thank you! It just goes to show how many different levels of protection are needed. While they may be in a protected area, they're still facing threats in other ways. We just have to keep up the work of advocating for them!
PLEASE talk about the Southeastern pine savannas too
As a native Southerner, I'd love to do a video on those someday!
Just got back from the park- they got a MASSIVE snow pack this past winter, there’s still over 10ft in some places(in july). It was sad to see so many burned trees but there is still hope!!
I'm consistently amazed at the snowpack numbers coming out of the Sierras this season lol
That lack of fire in the last century is exactly why the fires are so intense. Its not limited to the sierra. The bobcat fire in 2020 in the angeles national forest was mostly made up of land that hadnt burned in close to a century
It's a nationwide problem, for sure, leftover from decades of fire suppression as our official national policy, unfortunately
So crazy. We need to get our act together. I hope those forests, not just the individual trees, survive the next few hundred years.
Same 😔
Not only has our long term impact on the planet contributed to these fires but also our short term actions have caused catastrophic damage to our home.
We’ve seen stories of gender reveals cause wildfires to a guy in my own state starting one by trying to kill a spider. Negligence and incompetence and carelessness of humans are killing our worlds eldest creatures.
i would die if we lost our redwoods
💔
Prescribed burns are great until they aren't, see Hermits Peak Fire.
yup, ain't it funny all those wonderful ancient land management strategies now have to contend with a completely different human environment.
Increase the size of the deadzone so unexpected winds are less likely to spread the fire outside the controlled burn zone.
Greetings from Australia. When the land burns here, its takes no more than 3-6 months for it to start showing signs of life again. Its surprisingly fast. Just wondering how long it takes these forests to recover?
For the massive crown fires that killed large swaths of old growth sequoias, recovery isn't even really on a scale we can understand. Some of these trees have been growing for thousands of years, and to fully "recover" a forest to that type of successional environment would probably require a similar timeframe. I'm sure there would be some "signs of life" with species colonizing the burn area, but that is NOT the type of fire these forests have historically been adapted to, and it's hard to say that there would be any form of recovery without a return to a more historical fire regime.
In 6:26 the green ones are coastal redwood and red giant sequoia
Didn’t think my hometown would be mentioned in this video. CLE
These trees are so awesome, the smell they have is so wonderful. And its so nice to walk in that park, but it makes me mad that people don't look at the signs to preserve these trees and leave trash behind.
If the trees coukd talk... make sure if you visit, respect these mammoths.
👆
Noticeably fails to mention how many of these increasing fires are lit intentionaly , along major highways ect
Great video! One little thing. You misspelled “Geaux Tigers”
Hahahahahaha! I'll just leave this here so we can both enjoy it: 🐯
Nothing like a Big Conifer to put someone in a good mood!
Absolutely!
Conif-er? Hardly know er!
I'll allow it
Sounds like he has made the argument that green policies lead to big forest fires cause they do and Aussie land was a prime example of green policies!
Chemtrails are making fires worse. So sad
Kind of ironic I'm about 10 miles from general Sherman watching this video
Haha, lucky you get to be so close!
I fucking love giant trees so much so its super cool to see you make a video about them and highlight this terrible threat
Thanks for watching! Big trees are such an important part of my life and to see the devastation befalling them right now is heartbreaking. But my hope is that by making videos about these issues, we can bring more awareness to them and hopefully make some progress on changing things.
Go, Tigers!🐯
Go Tigers!!
Me who remembers the eagle creek fire ya that's why they don't allow fireworks in national parks, national forests, state parks and even city parks because it can cause huge damaging fire and if you want to go camping and bring a match or lighter make Shure to not chuck them or use them on anything besides your camp fire and never ever just throw a cigarette dispose of it properly
👆
I've had a lot of seedlings grown in my own apartment but sadly, the person who had to watch over them during my holiday killed them. I'll have to start over next winter sadly. I've been wanting to plant a few of them around the Netherlands. I believe these trees can be a way to mitigate climate change if we start planting them around the world.
According to the video, they grow only at higher altitudes.
OBVIOUSLY it's so the Squirrel's 🐿️ can't climb up them!
(There's no way it could be any other reason)
How could I have missed this 😂
So much misinformation in this vid smh
Much of the wildfire issue is due to poor management of the forestry by the Californian government and the near total prohibition on controlled burns.
Managing forests means managing the amount of fire fuel in those forests. This means igniting smaller, short-term fires tends to be better for the surrounding area, since it allows for the fuel to be burned out before it can pile up to a massive extent.
To give a comparison between states when it comes to controlled burns, California had 49,522 acres burned in prescribed burns while Texas, a state with a relatively similar population and landmass, had _190,451_ acres burned. As a result, Texas, which also has similar dry conditions occurring in the inland portions of the state, doesn’t have massive wildfires breaking out to the scale of California’s wildfires because much of the fuel is burned out before it can even lead to a big fire.
The problem California has is the extreme complexity of doing any form of proper wildfire maintenance due to the increasingly Byzantine bureaucracy in the state legislature.
A lot of California's land is federal and the vast majority of wildfires in California start in privately owned land that then move into government owned lands.
Edit: but I agree with you controlled burns are the way to go and there should be more in California than there currently is. I just don't know if the state government is the main issue preventing more or if they have the rights to carry out controlled burns on the majority of the problem lands.
@@Phingolfina i agree. I dont live in California so idk who is the biggest obstacle for having more controlled burns.
@@Phingolfina you are correct much of the forested land in California is federal. Most fires, however start on these federal lands and cross over to private, not the other way around. Owning land next to a national forest is an extreme fire hazard.
If you find this video moving, and want to join the fight on the frontlines of climate change. Here's what you can do.
Go take your s-130 and s-190 and the other wildland firefighter type 2 prerequisites.Then find an agency that will let you take a pack test. Links for these classes will be at the end of my comment.
Not gonna lie this profession is full of grueling HARD labor and a lot of skills that will take time and many mistakes to develop. Also long periods on the road away from family and friends; not to mention the long commutes to get to these isolated job postings and travel times to fires.
Wildland firefighting agencies across the nation are hurting for personal(especially in more isolated areas). This is your opportunity to join and make a difference; for the health and wellness of our forest, for your community, and the world!
And I repeat this is a HARD job. Not only do you have to deal with the; heat, fire, and difficult terrain. You may also have to deal with co workers and bosses that have different beliefs and out looks on life. Don't let their bullshit get in your way shut them up with hard work and standing up for yourself and your beliefs. These are just some of the lessons I've learned and it may not be like that for you each Agency has a different culture.
Link for classes you can find instructor lead or do self taught online courses.
Best of luck stay safe and keep your situational awareness up!! Hope to see you on the line!
"S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, 2020 | NWCG" www.nwcg.gov/publications/training-courses/s-190/course-delivery
Thanks so much for your hard work and keeping others safe. Much love. Thanks for linking resources for others that might be interested as well. Stay safe out there.
So Trump was right when he said that we need to clear our forest floors. Interesting!
A couple notes
General Sherman is not the biggest tree, there is bigger trees that are not disclosed in northern California, they don't want to open another park for them.
If you like big trees you should go visit McKinley grove in Fresno County
Ello
Hey there!