WIP · World in Pocket

Mother of the Forest

Italy

Mother of the Forest

Mother of the Forest was a giant sequoia in the Sierra Nevada that was stripped of its bark and used as an exhibition tree. It was the second largest tree in Calaveras Grove, standing at 328 feet (100 m) tall with a circumference of 93 feet (28 m), when the grove was discovered by European Americans

in 1852. During the California Gold Rush, its bark was harvested and exhibited in New York and London. However, the remaining tree was eventually destroyed by fire in 1908, leaving only a fire-blackened snag. The damage to Mother of the Forest and felling of other giant sequoias during the mid-1800s sparked public outcry and led to the conservation movement and the legal protection of these trees. In 1931, Calaveras Grove was designated as a part of California State Parks, ensuring the preservation of these remarkable trees for future generations.

Listen to the audio guide for Mother of the Forest Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

Nearby