THE TWO OLDEST TREES 



had probably set the woods on fire or that 

 it had occurred from other causes, such 

 as lightning or friction, but no definite 

 answer was given. 



My experience as a lumberman fur- 

 nished me with a method of determining 

 this important fact which I will explain. 

 I ascertained the diameter of the suckers 

 or young trees that were growing within 

 this fire zone, and by determining accur- 

 ately the annual growth of some of the 

 same diameters which I found in a pile 

 of wood not far away, I could say with 

 conviction that the fire which all but 

 killed the Sherman tree occurred about 

 ninety years ago. I speak of this to show 

 how much can be learned by experienced 

 observation and proper application of 

 this to the subject in hand. 



It has been my intention to answer ques- 

 tions that I have often heard asked by 

 persons when in the presence of these na- 

 tional wonders. In most cases no decided 



56 



