OLDEST AND BIGGEST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 23, 10 November 1944, Page 2

OLDEST AND BIGGEST

GIANT TREES OF THE WORLD The claim of being the biggest has never failed to attract the attention of men and the Americans who > > almost venerate size have established the existence of the biggest and probably the oldest of all living objects. It is in California. The engineers have been systematically exploring the forests of giant redwood trees in Sequoia National Park and have taken careful measurements of its biggest trees. They have awarded the first, placeto a tree konwn as General Sherman, which has a base' circumference of 102 fee.t j is 272 feet and contains over 50 000 cubic feet y of serviceable timber. Its weight has been estimated as over 6000 tons,. The next tree in size is another giant' redwood called the General Grant which is taller and bigger round the base but has less wood. • 5. Both these giants are. from 4000 to 5000 years old. The tallest tree in the world is also claimed by America a giant redwood attaining 363 feet near Bull Creek Flat in California. But the eucalyptus trees of. Australia run the redwoods very close in the climb to the, one of 325 feet having won a prize offered in Melbourne for proof of the the tallest tree on the island continent.