Bennett Juniper facts for kids
The Bennett Juniper is the biggest known juniper tree in the United States. You can find it in the Stanislaus National Forest in Tuolumne County, California. This amazing tree is owned by the Save the Redwoods League, a group that works to protect large, old trees in the western U.S.
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What Kind of Tree is the Bennett Juniper?
At first, people thought the Bennett Juniper was a type of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis). But scientists noticed differences between junipers in the north and south. They decided to split them into two groups. The Bennett Juniper belongs to the southern group.
Later, in 2006, DNA studies showed that the southern junipers were different enough to be their own species. They were then named "grand juniper" (Juniperus grandis). So, the Bennett Juniper is now officially a grand juniper.
How Old is the Bennett Juniper?
Figuring out the exact age of the Bennett Juniper has been a puzzle for many years. In the 1930s, a scientist named Glock took a core sample from the tree. He estimated it was about 3,000 years old.
In 1989, another scientist, Peter Brown, took another sample. His estimate was also close to 3,000 years. However, they found that the tree's center was rotten and partly hollow. This means it's impossible to get a full core sample. Because of this, we might never know its exact age for sure.
Clarence K. Bennett, the naturalist the tree is named after, believed it was over 6,000 years old. He guessed this by looking at other nearby juniper trees. For example, a fallen juniper about 200 feet (61 m) away was 800 years old and 16 inches (41 cm) wide. Another stump about 10 miles (16 km) away was 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and 2,700 years old.
It's hard to use these examples to guess the Bennett Juniper's age. This is because the Bennett Juniper gets some water from a nearby drainage. Most junipers in this area don't have such easy access to water.
How Big is the Bennett Juniper?
The Bennett Juniper stands tall at 78 feet (24 m) feet. Its branches spread out about 56 feet (17 m) wide. The tree's trunk is very thick, measuring 12.7 feet (3.9 m) across at chest height.
The American Forests organization uses a special formula to measure "Big Trees." The Bennett Juniper scores 573 points using this formula. This makes it the largest juniper of any kind listed in the National Register of Big Trees.
Where Does the Bennett Juniper Grow?
The Bennett Juniper grows in an open area called Sardine Meadow. This spot is high up, at about 8,400 feet (2,600 m) above sea level. The area was shaped by glaciers a long time ago.
The soil around the tree is not very deep, only 6 inches (15 cm) to 24 inches (61 cm) thick. Even though it's a dry spot, some of the tree's roots can reach a seasonal stream. The area is mostly covered by short sagebrush and a few lodgepole pine and juniper trees.
For many years, fires have been stopped in this area. This has led to more sagebrush and young trees growing than usual. Since 1960, not many new young trees have started to grow. Other large junipers grow nearby, but they usually have deeper soil and more water.
The Bennett Juniper's Story with People
Native Americans likely visited this area in the summer. We don't know specific stories about the tree from them. However, tools made from obsidian have been found nearby.
The first known sighting of the tree was probably in the 1920s. Basque sheepherders told their boss, Ed Burgson, about a huge juniper. A few years later, naturalist Clarence Bennett met Burgson. Bennett had studied junipers all over the Sierra Nevada mountains. He was amazed by the Bennett Juniper, as it was the biggest he had ever seen.
Clarence Bennett worked hard to get the tree studied and protected. By the 1950s, the Forest Service had named the tree after him.
After a road was built in the 1950s, more visitors came to see the tree. It became clear the Bennett Juniper needed protection. The Bennett Juniper Association was formed in 1963 and placed a monument at the tree.
Joseph W. Martin Sr., who owned the land, and Clarence Bennett decided the tree needed long-term protection. In 1978, Martin donated 3 acres (1.2 ha) of land to the Nature Conservancy. However, the Nature Conservancy found it hard to manage the site. The increasing number of visitors was harming the tree's area.
John B. Dewitt, who led the Save the Redwoods League, loved visiting the Bennett Juniper. He saw the damage happening and knew something had to be done. Even though the League usually protects redwood trees, Dewitt convinced his board to take on the Bennett Juniper. In 1987, the Nature Conservancy transferred the land to the League. The next year, the League hired a summer caretaker to manage visitors and fix past damage.
In 2018, a wildfire called the Donnell Fire came very close to the Bennett Juniper. Firefighters worked hard on the ground and from the air. They stopped the fire from reaching the tree, saving this amazing natural wonder.
Images for kids
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The south side of the Bennett Juniper, a truly ancient tree.
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The north side of the Bennett Juniper, showing its massive size with a person standing nearby.
