Sequoia Legacy Tree, Visalia, 85 years old in 2018

General Grant Tree, Kings Canyon National Park, approximately 1650 years old in 2018
Picture
Mountain Home Conservation Camp #10 Sign Shop Crew

Photos for this article by:  John Greening and Laurie Schwaller; and courtesy of The Kaweah Commonwealth, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Archives, and Visalia Convention & Visitors Bureau

UPDATE: In the autumn of 2023, Visalia's treasured Sequoia Legacy Tree began turning brown and was
diagnosed with a fungus that had developed after two winters of heavy rains followed by two
exceptionally hot summers. A horticulturist treated the great tree with a series of injections, but, most
unfortunately, the dire fungus prevailed, the tree died, and the Postal Service will remove it in the
autumn of 2024. It is hoped that the interpretive pocket park created around the tree in 2018 will
remain.  Visit Visalia is working with community partners on ideas for a replacement for the tree that
will continue to honor its history and significance.

A GIANT GROWING IN OUR MIDST!
The Sequoia Legacy Tree at the Visalia Town Center Post Office

by Laurie Schwaller

     In February, 1936, Guy Hopping, Superintendent of General Grant National Park (now Kings Canyon National Park), brought two three-year-old giant sequoia trees from Grant Grove to the downtown Visalia post office, where he worked from an office in the basement during the winter.  The Superintendent and Nathan Levy, Visalia's Postmaster, planted the little trees on both sides of the recently-completed building.
     Around 50 years later, the ailing east-side sequoia had to be removed, but its sister tree kept growing.  On April 28, 2018, a dedication ceremony was held to honor this now-towering 85-year-old Sequoia Legacy Tree.  A historic treasure and source of pride for Visalia, it is also an important reminder of our valley's vital connection to the Sierra Nevada.

     Attractive new signage tells the story.  From the mountain home of the giant sequoias comes the surface water that flows in the valley's rivers and creeks and the essential groundwater that we depend on throughout the year.  As the sign reminds us, "It's up to each of us to use our water wisely" to protect and conserve this legacy.

     The decomposed granite pathway that encircles the tree was designed to approximate the diameter of the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park.  This helps to provide scale for understanding how large these trees are capable of growing. 

   In favorable conditions, giant sequoias can live well beyond 2,000 years.  The first U.S. Post Office was established in 1775.  Visalia was established in 1852.  The Sequoia Legacy Tree is basically the same age as the post office building it stands beside; both came into being in 1933.   What will their future be?
                                                                                                                         July, 2018
    
     The Sequoia Legacy Tree interpretive feature is a project of the Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau and was dedicated on April 28, 2018. 


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