Researchers climbed the world’s largest tree to inspect for bark beetles and descended the giant sequoia with good news this week. Anthony Ambrose of the Ancient Forest Society led the team up the 275-foot tree called General Sherman. He said researchers found minimal beetle activity in the 2,200-year-old tree in California's western Sierra Nevada.
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, California — High in the evergreen canopy of General Sherman, the world’s largest tree, researchers searched for evidence of an emerging threat to giant sequoias: bark beetles.“The General Sherman tree is doing fine right now,” said Anthony Ambrose, executive director of the Ancient Forest Society, who led the climbing expedition. “It seems to be a very healthy tree that’s able to fend off any beetle attack.
But as the climate grows hotter and drier, giant sequoias previously thought to be almost indestructible are increasingly threatened by extreme heat, drought and wildfires. But researchers are growing more worried about bark beetles, which didn’t pose a serious threat in the past. The beetles attack the trees from the canopy, boring into branches and working their way down the trunk. If left unchecked, the tiny beetles can kill a tree within six months.
Tuesday’s health inspection of General Sherman was organized by the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, a group of government agencies, Native tribes and environmental groups. They hope to establish a health monitoring program for the towering trees.
Trees Wildfires Plants General News CA State Wire California Beetles Climate And Environment Science N U.S. News A U.S. News
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
General Sherman passes health check but world's largest trees face growing climate threatsResearchers climbed the world’s largest tree to inspect for bark beetles and descended the giant sequoia with good news this week
Read more »
Civil War General Sherman's sword among relics headed to Ohio auction next weekA sword once wielded by legendary Union Gen. William T. Sherman is among numerous historic relics headed for the auction block next week in Ohio's capital.
Read more »
Civil War General William T. Sherman's sword, other relics to be auctioned off in ColumbusCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Bidders will fight with their dollars next week at an Ohio auction house for the sword of the Civil War Union general who led a scorched-e
Read more »
Anthony Edwards Had Amazing NSFW Quote About Karl-Anthony Towns After Timberwolves Swept SunsThe budding superstar has highlights on and off the court.
Read more »
How the Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards' superstar ascension has led to the redemption of Karl-Anthony TownsKarl-Anthony Towns could have been gone -- the falling star the Wolves had to trade. But what if he's actually the perfect bridge between Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards?
Read more »
Colts' Anthony Gould: 'Anthony Richardson Can Throw It 80 Yards to Me’Indianapolis Colts rookie Anthony Gould is ecstatic about his role with the team and getting to work with his newest teammates.
Read more »