California's Giant Sequoias: Found Nowhere Else on Earth
The Giant Sequoia Trees of California’s Central Valley are the largest trees (by volumn) in the world and only grow in the high sierras of California in a belt at an elevation of 6,000 to 7,000 feet, as the crow flies of about 160 miles from the “Trail of 100 Giants” on the Kern County/Tulare County line to the Placer Big Trees Grove in Placer County.
The largest tree is the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park. 275ft tall and estimated to be in the region of 2300 to 2700 years old.
Create drama in your space and the feeling of this very special forest to enjoy every day.
My giant sequoia project”, "California's Giant Sequoias: Found Nowhere Else on Earth" evolved gradually.
In 2009, after hanging a show that included several Sequoia paintings, in the Exeter Courthouse Gallery, my friend Holly and I went to Sequoia and camped and painted for a week. That was a defining moment. I fell in love with the Sequoias.
I discovered that there where many groves within an easy driving distance from my home in Porterville and that I could easily take a day trip to any of them. I started visiting groves, some with easy access and some that I should not have visited alone. Check out my reviews of several Easy Sequoia Trails on the blog page of my website at www.joycollier.com.
The second defining moment was when my friend Linda Lemons from Burford Frames in Porterville said “You know Joy, I see paintings of the trunks of the trees but not the whole tree” and the 6 foot tall canvas was born. This changed everything. I painted 2′ x 6′ trees. I showed them at “1st Saturday in Three Rivers” in front of the Gateway & Buckeye Lodges. They were a hit.
Over the last few years with fire after fire in the Sierras, I have realized how fragile this environment is and I’d like to do what I can to create awareness and supply resources for the protection of these giants found nowhere else on earth.