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The sequoia trees are the oldest living things in the world. Millions of years ago, in the age of dinosaurs, they grew in large forests throughout much of the world. There were many kinds of sequoias but most of them disappeared during the Ice Age.
Today, there are only two kinds of the sequoia tree left on our planet, and one of them, the giant sequoia, can be found only in the north of California.
The name sequoia comes from the name of an American Indian, Sequoyah, who invented a written alphabet for his tribe.
No one knows how long a sequoia can live. Many trees in Sequoia National Park, in California, are more than 3 000 years old. Before a law was passed that protected sequoias from being cut, one of the oldest and largest of them was chopped down. The growth ring at the centre of this giant sequoia dated back to 1305 BC. It means that it was more than a thousand years old at the time of the birth of Christ!
One of the biggest sequoias in Sequoia National Park and in the whole world is the General Sherman tree. It is 83,8 metres high, and the diameter of its trunk is 31,4 metres – wider than average city street. The trunk, scientists say, weighs nearly 1,385 tons!
Sequoias are very durable. None of these trees has died from old age or disease yet. The bark of the tree has a special tannin or juice. This protects the tree from fire and insects.
However, lightning often destroys the tops of the largest sequoia trees.
Today, these rare and remarkable trees are protected. It is illegal to cut them down. Great care is taken to avoid any injury to the trees.
Упр. 3. Ответьте на вопросы к тексту:
1. Are the sequoia trees the oldest living things in the world? 2. Where did they grow millions of years ago? 3. How many kinds of sequoias are left on our planet? 4. What does the name sequoia come from? 5. Does anybody know how long a sequoia can live? 6. How old are many trees in Sequoia National Park? 7. What law was passed in the USA? 8. What is the General Sherman tree like? 9. What does the bark of the tree have? 10. Why are the tops of the largest sequoia trees often destroyed?
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