n8 Trees, Stars, and Birds 



The tree reproduces by sprouts that spring up around 

 old trees. 



The wood is especially valuable for use underground 

 and where it is exposed to water. Redwood water 

 pipe has been known to be serviceable after half a 

 century of use. Water flows through wooden pipes 

 with less friction than through iron pipes of the same 

 size, is less likely to freeze in winter, and keeps cooler 

 in summer. Before it is laid the redwood pipe is coated 

 with asphaltum. 



The Big Tree. The Big Trees of California were 

 unknown to the white men until 1850, when a deer 

 hunter came with astonishment amongst a group of 

 them. They grow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 

 4000 to 8000 feet above the sea. They are larger 

 than the redwood but not quite so tall; some are 320 

 feet high and 28 feet in diameter. 



The Big Trees are indeed giants. Through the hollow 

 in the base of one of them a road has been made, on 

 which passengers can ride on a tallyho or in an auto- 

 mobile. In the eastern half of the United States, trees 

 more than 120 feet in height are rarely found, and a 

 tree 7 or 8 feet in diameter is accounted very large indeed. 



As some of the groves of Big Trees are now national 

 parks, these forest giants will be spared to excite the 

 wonder and admiration of travelers for generations to 

 come. Many of them are already more than 2000 

 years old and some probably more than 4000. How 

 old were they when Columbus discovered America? 

 What cities were built as long ago as 4600 years ? Have 

 any of these cities endured as long as these trees ? 



