Giant sequoias:

[applegrove]

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2026, 03:11 PM - Edit history (1)

The forest is the system: Not the individual trees. Many people try to build resilience by making themselves bigger, stronger, more independent. They stockpile resources, they build higher walls, they try to go it alone. HOWEVER, We The People are stronger together. Unite!

— Peggy Stuart (@peggystuart.bsky.social) 2026-02-16T18:12:36.889Z

[Traildogbob]

1. That is a stunning picture.

I spent my life teaching Forest Ecology. In the Appalachian forest types. I was blessed with a scholarship to spend a month in the Northern Forest with the International Dendrology Society. After retirement, 4 years ago to have beeb there. Still blown away at those forests. Humbolt professors toured us through parts. As did many scientists and professionals through the month.
I brought John Muir’s spirit back we me. “The Mountains are Calling, And I went”.
This picture is just so cool.
Thank you for sharing.
Gotta get back there. On my dime next time😥

[applegrove]

2. It is on my bucket list. Lucky you for having a career in forests.

[Traildogbob]

5. Very blessed.

Teaching for all day classes in the great mountains here, but learning as well.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Did you tour the coastal Sequoia sempervirens?

Or the Sierra Sequoia gigantia?

[Traildogbob]

6. We did both.

Stayed in San Fran the first few days then headed up the coast to Oregon, staying a day or few along the route, stayed in Yosemite for 5 days then came back down the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the trip, and lodging back down to San Fran. We were taken deep off trail in the two big species and had tree scientist lecture on the whole community of these ecosystems. The husband and wife pair of professors from Humbolt have been in National Geographic for their life long research in the canopies of the sequoias and now the root communities.
This Dendrology Society are full of wealthy people from all over the world. Wealthy people can be on the ride side or our Natural Resources. Real tree huggers. And they loved their wine and fine lodging. I benefitted greatly. It was a gift to show appreciation of a career teaching the Forests and their importance to youngun’s that will get out and protect and manage this precious resource.
Impressed with your use of the Latin binomial nomenclature.
Well done. My Students had to learn 110 species by Latin name, leaves and in winter twigs, buds and bark, even taste and smell for some species.
Wildlifer’s had to do the same with mammals, birds, fish, bugs, reptiles as well as trees.
You leave there speaking a whole different language.
Yea, my career was the best I could ever had wished for. And the Navy and GI bill made it possible. Without a mountain of debt. Not much pay at all, 60 hour weeks, but I learned to live on very little. And raise a daughter alone. Which is great training for retirement.
And the gift of that trip was an amazing icing on the cake.
Gotta get back the big trees without a crowd and on my time schedule. Hang in Muir, I am coming. I hear those mountains calling me back.

[Ilsa]

4. "Finding the Mother Tree" is my next read.

I have the soft cover now. Been looking forward to learning about their network.