It was a most remarkable experience for me to stand in the midst of the giant sequoias at the Sequoia National Park in California. Giant Sequoias are special. They are like gentle giants. They are not just the largest trees in the world, they are also the largest (and amongst the oldest) living organisms on earth. They are on average 200–300 feet tall, and have a diameter of twenty-five feet, with the oldest growing up to 3,000 years. The largest tree in the world, General Sherman, has a volume of 52,508 cubic feet, weights over 2.7 million pounds, has a circumference of 102 feet at the base, branches 7 feet in diameter, and a height of 275 feet (equivalent to a twenty-six storeyed building. It is 2,500 years old.
Phew! That is simply awe-inspiring. Spending time amongst the Giant Sequoias was a deeply moving experience for me. As was my time spent with their cousins, the Coastal Redwoods, in Muir Woods outside San Francisco. They were really special experiences. It is of course natural to be awestruck and humbled by the sheer size of these giants. But it is more than that. It was a meditative experience. These ‘immortals’ have a tranquil presence that touches your core. You feel that within them lie the secrets of all creation and eternity.
I was reflecting on what we learn from these giants, these immortals. There are five lessons that I took away, that I want to share them here.
The Giant Sequoia comes from a tiny cone. The Sequoia cone is the size of a chicken egg with seeds smaller than oat flakes. This is such a powerful reminder of the infinite potential of life. Within the smallest of us lies the potential for greatness. This is a great lesson in hope, respect and humility. Hope and respect that amazing potential lies in every being. And, humility that we should not dismiss any person or situation lightly, because great depth and potential might lie within them, which we might not see today.
The Giant Sequoias grow in a fairly small region. There are only sixty-five groves found in an area of a mere 144 sq km in the Sierra Nevada ranges in California. The trees need a humid climate, characterized by dry summers and snowy winters, and granitic-based residual and alluvial soils, which this region has. Even within a grove,
not all Sequoias end up being giants. Their positioning in the grove, access to sunlight, surroundings and other factors play a key role in the eventual size they will attain. This is a powerful life lesson: many might have the same intrinsic potential but being at the right place at the right time can make all the difference in eventual success.
The hardiness, age and size of the Giant Sequoias are all connected. They keep growing in size and strength as they get older, and therefore are even more difficult to be blown over by winds. They seem to have conquered diseases and natural death and die only by accident. The older Sequoias are therefore even more magnificent. That is a powerful inspiration for us humans in so many ways. The big lesson for me was to never stop growing and that our best days are ahead of us. Moreover, the value of longevity. If you can stay the course, you can achieve great impact.
Giant Sequoias have surprisingly small roots, only six feet to twenty feet deep. Yet these shallow roots support these giants for thousands of years. The answer lies in the fact that Sequoias grow close to each other and their roots are intertwined. It is this matting of their roots, the network effect, that gives Sequoias the incredible strength and stability they have. It is a powerful reminder of the strength of the community and that no leader can stand tall without the support of many.
Perhaps the biggest secret of the Giant Sequoias’ longevity is how they survive fires. The Sierra Nevada region, the habitat of the Giant Sequoias, is dry and prone to lightning. This is a deadly combination that results in many fires, resulting in a big survival challenge for the Sequoias. However, Sequoias have a great mechanism in their bark to overcome fires. Their bark is very thick (~ three feet) and has tannin, which protects it from fire. Giant Sequoias are able to not just survive fire but also use it for both regeneration and growth. Fire clears the undergrowth and opens their cones, allowing the seeds to germinate. Moreover, fire removes the competing thin-barked species around, promoting growth of these ancient giants. In fact, fires are typically followed by a growth spurt in the Giant Sequoias. Their mastery of fire is such a powerful lesson for us. Life throws many challenges our way. The way we tackle them determines how we grow in life. We need to develop our own unique coping mechanisms (thick bark and tannin for the Giant Sequoias). The most successful are able to not just survive the challenges but use it as an opportunity for fuelling further growth. That is such a beautiful and powerful life lesson. This lesson has been so true during the Covid-19 pandemic, where the hi-quality resilient companies have outperformed during these difficult times.
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