A FOREST GIANT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 266, 16 November 1878, Page 6

A FOREST GIANT.

Meßsere M'KiearauD, Manley and Hubbs, of Visaliu shipped from Tulare city recently a section of one of the largest, if not the largest, of all the big trees that have ever yet been diecovered in California. The tree from which tbia section was taken was 111 feet in circumference at the butt, end stood 250 feet in height, at which elevation it was broken off. At the breeking-off place it was 12 feet in diameter. These gentleman have been at work getting this section ready for exhibition for nearly a year. The section ia 14 feet in height, and was cut from the body of the tree 12 feet from the ground, the base being so irregular in form, the irregularity extending up from the rootp, that it was inexpedient to take the lowest part. At the distance of 12 feet from the ground the tree was 26 feet 6 inches ia diameter, this being the diameter of tbo base of the section exhibited. The top of the tree, or stub ae it really wa?, was felled 26 feet from the ground „• the labour of felling it occupyiour men nine days with axee. It made a noise when it came down that reverberated through the mountains like a pea! of thunder. The work of taking out the section which is exhibited was then commenced from the top. Tho men dug the inside of the tree out with axes the&e tools being the only ones that could be used to advantage. The wood was left six inches thick, exclusive of the bark, which ranges from three to ten inches in thickness. The diameter of the tree where it was felled (the diameter of the (op of the section that is to be exhibited) is twenty-one feet. This shell was sawn down, making fifteen gigantic Blabe. This tree stood six miles from a public road, and a road was built this whole distance in order to get tins section of the tree out. Each slab made a load for eight horses. The whole fifteen made two cart loads. The owners of this great natural curiosity will exhibit it in this city during the fair, after which they will travel through tbe State, thence throught tbe East, and 10 Europe. This tree ia claimed to be four feat larger in diameter than any other tree that has been dieeovered on tbe coast. — Stockton Herald, 20ih September.