THE GYMNOSPERM BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS!

Did you know that conifers, which are gymnosperms(non-flowering plants) hold - not one, not two, but THREE world records for all living things?

Well it’s true!

Can you guess what they are?

World Record #1TALLEST LIVING THING

Giant Redwoods

California

Can grow over 350 feet tall!

These trees are CRAZY big.Look at the roots of one that fell over.

Some are so big, the road goes through it.(Click on image for video - 3:00.)

BUT…

THEY ARE NOT THE MOST

MASSIVE LIVING THINGS (GREATEST MASS, WEIGHT, OR VOLUME)

THERE IS ANOTHER CONIFER THAT HOLDS THAT RECORD.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

World Record #2MOST MASSIVE LIVING THINGS

Giant Sequoia Trees

California also

Close relative to Redwoods

Not quite as tall (“only” 275 feet)

Also crazy big.

The BIGGESTSequoia Treeof all?

Drum roll please…

The “General Sherman”

275’ tall 103’ circumference at

base! Estimated at possibly

over 6,000 TONS!! Enough wood to build

40 houses!!! About 2,500 years

old!!!! (Click on image for video -

3:05)

And the third world recordheld by conifers?

Drum roll please…

World Record #3OLDEST LIVING THING

Bristlecone Pines

Also in California!! (but not near the redwoods and sequoias)

Some estimated at almost 5000 years old!!

(Click on image for video – 3:50)

THREE world records,held by the humble and ancient conifers.

Interesting that they are all in the United State, and all in California.

Road trip!