Fire and the Giant Trees

The long drive through the arid valley of Central California was finally ending. While it was interesting to see the grape vineyards, pistachio trees and endless citrus groves, the excitement was building as we started the ascent into the hills. We had come here to see the big trees.

Specifically some of the largest and oldest living things on earth - Sequoia trees. As we were driving into the forest, the large sugar pines were in themselves far larger than the pines I was used to in the East. But they were mere appetizers as we rolled down the windows to see who could catch the first glimpse of the ancient ones. The aroma was noticeably different; there was a sweetness to it, and the air was getting cooler. And then we saw one, massive in girth and Herculean as it rose skyward. We eventually made it to a grove and walked the trails to take it all in. We were all children in the candy store.

A few facts about the Sequoias:

They are the largest trees by volume.

They only grow on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas of California between 4600 and 6600 feet.

The trees have need to have wildfires to be able to reproduce.

The trees come from a very small seed.

Although the trees are giants, they have a very shallow root system.

Being around these trees gave me a sense of something sacred. I realized that the trees in this forest were very young when King David was ruling in Israel.

The one interesting fact that I kept thinking about was the need for fire to be present for the tree to survive for future generations. We, as Christians are reminded by Peter about the fires in our lives as well for growth:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.… I Peter 4:12-13

As we continue to face the inevitable fires in our lives, let’s remember the Sequoias, the great ancient trees that, like us, must have fires to grow into the future.

Richard Hickam