Washington, Giant sequoia in Giant Forest, California, US
Washington is a giant sequoia located in the Giant Forest section of Sequoia National Park in California. The tree once measured about 7.92 meters in diameter and rose to a height of 77.3 meters before sustaining major damage.
The tree held the rank of second largest sequoia until a lightning strike in September 2003 damaged it internally. The weakening from this damage led to the trunk splitting in January 2005 under heavy snow weight.
The tree carries the name of America's first president and represents the natural heritage that shaped the nation's park system. Walking around it, you notice how this connection to the country's past is woven into the forest itself.
You can reach the tree via marked hiking trails that wind through the Giant Forest section of the park. The paths are well-maintained and generally accessible year-round, though heavy snow in winter can affect trail conditions.
A lightning strike ignited an internal fire that slowly burned within the wood, weakening the tree from the inside long before any visible damage appeared on its bark. This hidden destruction made the eventual collapse unavoidable.
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