Figure 1. Giant Sequoia in Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park.
In addition to Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias was also protected in Yosemite Grant Act in 1864. The massive size of this tree attracts visitors since then, domestic and international.
Regarding as largest living single organism on earth, it humbles everyone standing in front. In addition to the size, the fire scar is also a signature feature of this tree. Giant sequoias require fires to reproduce. The fire scar is the evidence of fires and the tree will recover from it eventually. Unfortunately, fires were suppressed for a long period and it restricted the new growth. The role of wildfire was understood to benefit the giant sequoias until decades ago. New policy to deal with wildfire was made to balance the ecosystem and human safety.
Due to intense visitation, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will undergo a 2 year restoration from July 2015. It will be closed during this period and thus I visited this place again in May.
