Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does thick bark protect giant sequoias from fire?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
conifer
A giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) estimated to be between 1,900 and 2,400 years old, Grizzly Giant is the oldest tree in the Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California.
Giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) possess an unusually thick, fibrous, and fire-retardant bark that serves as a highly effective form of thermal insulation.123
This massive bark layer protects the tree by acting as a barrier against the intense heat of a wildfire, preventing the flames from reaching and damaging the tree's vital internal tissues. Because the outer bark is composed of dead tissue, it can withstand direct exposure to fire without compromising the health of the living organism beneath it. While this adaptation allows the giant sequoia to survive most fires, the trees can still succumb if exposed to sufficiently intense or prolonged fire conditions.23