When Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt over 3,000 years ago, some of the redwood trees growing today had already been alive for hundreds of years.
Along the foggy West Coast of the United States from Central California to southern Oregon are stands of these majestic and ancient Coastal Redwood trees. One of these giants, called The Tall Tree, stands 368 feet tall and is the tallest tree in the world.
Further inland in California are the giant Sequoias, which are not as tall as the Coastal Redwoods, but are much thicker. One of these, the General Sherman tree, is the largest living thing in the world.
Redwood is a popular wood for fences and other exterior uses because it is highly resistant to disease, decay and insects. Many environmentalists feel that while this may be nice for builders, it is a tragedy for the redwoods.
They are concerned that heavy logging is eliminating many of the most beautiful of the ancient trees.
