The
anatomy of a giant sequoia can be compared to that of a human. The sequoia’s
center is made up of Heartwood which gives the tree structural support just as
our bones support us. The narrow band of Sapwood is the pipeline for moving
water up to the leaves, just like our veins and arteries transport blood. The
Cambium is the growing part of the tree. This layer is just a few cells thick
and produces a new ring of wood and layer of bark each year. The Bark protects
the tree from external injury just as our skin protects us. The inner bark
passes food to the rest of the tree and the outer bark protects and is renewed
from within. Now go hug a tree, after all they are not much different than you
and me.
“Trees go wandering forth in all directions with every wind,
going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million
miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far!” – John Muir
Hug a tree today