Lost Monarch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lost Monarch |
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Lost Monarch
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| Species | Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) |
| Height | 97.84 m (321.0 ft) |
| Diameter | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Volume of trunk | 989 m3 (34,900 cu ft) |
The Lost Monarch is a truly giant coast redwood tree found in Northern California. It's one of the biggest trees in the world! This amazing tree is about 7.9 meters (26 feet) wide at its base, which is wider than a school bus. It also stands incredibly tall at 97.5 meters (320 feet), reaching higher than a 30-story building.
The Lost Monarch is known for having a huge amount of wood. It's the fifth largest coast redwood when you measure its wood volume. Even though some of its lower parts have multiple stems, it's still an incredibly impressive and massive tree.
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Discovering the Lost Monarch
The Lost Monarch was found on May 11, 1998. Two explorers, botanist Stephen C. Sillett and naturalist Michael Taylor, discovered it. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants, and a naturalist studies nature.
Where is the Lost Monarch?
This giant tree lives in a special area called "The Grove of Titans" inside Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. However, its exact spot is a secret. The park keeps the location hidden to protect the tree and its surroundings. Too many visitors could harm the delicate ecosystem (the natural environment) or lead to vandalism (damaging property).
The Lost Monarch is surrounded by other huge coast redwoods. Some of these nearby giants also have unique names given by their discoverers. These include trees like El Viejo del Norte, Screaming Titans, Eärendil and Elwing, and Stalagmight.
Plants Living on the Lost Monarch
The Lost Monarch is so big that it provides a home for other plants! These plants are called epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants, but they don't harm them. They get their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, or debris that collects around them.
One type of epiphyte that grows on the Lost Monarch is a fern called Polypodium scouleri. Back in 2003, experts estimated that the Lost Monarch held about 450 kilograms (1,000 pounds) of this fern material! It's like a whole garden growing high up in the tree.
See also
In Spanish: Lost Monarch para niños
