Intentional fires helped save Yosemite's ancient sequoia trees Saving the centuries-old trees in Yosemite's famed Mariposa Grove took hard work from firefighters but also half a century of intentional fires.
The tree is 275 feet tall, and over 36 feet in diameter at the base, making it taller than the Statue of Liberty from its base to the torch. General Sherman wrapped in foil to protect it from fire. The KNP Complex Fire, which is made up of the Paradise Fire and the Colony Fire, has charred 11,365 acres, so far.
Two other historical and exceedingly enormous giant sequoias, the Discovery Tree with a near-30m circumference, and especially the long-fallen Father of the Forest from Calaveras Grove, reportedly a whopping 435ft high and 110ft in circumference, are widely considered to have once been larger than General Sherman.
The Giant Forest alone is home to 8,000 giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree. The tree, which is roughly 2,200 years old, sits behind a fence and a giant sign displaying its name. While you cannot get close enough to touch it, it remains both a beautiful sight and a great photo opportunity.