Monday, November 23, 2009

"Big" things (well, sort of)

It was a quiet weekend for us.  The biggest news is that for the 6th time straight, the Buckeyes beat Michigan, clenching an undisputed Big 10 conference title!




Other than that not much going on here in Ohio; the calm before the storm for me & Brutus.  Not much to post from our relaxing weekend, so I thought we'd follow up on something from a prior post that got a lot of comments.

Remember the seeds I brought home from our summer trip to Sequoia National Park?




Last I reported (click here to see the post), we were excited to see a seedling sprout!  I commented on how amazing it was that this teeny little baby tree had the potential to turn into the largest, longest-living thing on earth!



Even Brutus was interested (although he was just hoping it was something to eat).





So yesterday we were checking out the babies to see how things were coming....




.. and look how much they've grown!  Two more seedlings appeared, and the biggest is almost to the top of the container already! By my measurement, it is over 4 inches tall!



Sequoias can grow 2-3 feet a year, with the potential to reach a height of over 300 feet.   The oldest trees,called "monarchs" are so enormous - up to 60 feet in diameter at the base! Still it is hard to believe that these little seedlings could live to be over 3000 years old (the oldest one still standing is thought to be over 3500!!). 

Pictured below is the the General Sherman tree at Sequioa National Forest in Califormia.  He is 275 feet tall, and over 100 feet in circumference at ground level!  For all you math-doers out there, that gives him a total volume of over 52,000 cubic feet, making General Sherman the largest tree in the world!  If you look closely at the bottom of the picture, those tiny-looking things are people - doesn't that put things into perspective???



So for now, we'll keep watering & caring for these little guys - keep your fingers crossed that they survive the upcoming transplant. Maybe some day we can decorate them some year in the future for Christmas!

No, Brutus - you still can't eat it! Perhaps he's dreaming of "watering" these trees someday...


29 comments:

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Hey your Buckeyes managed a 6-pack of wins.

Brutus, I think those trees are just the right height for me to "water the tops". I guess we shouldn't think of that though, no matter how tempting. I'll be sure to keep my singing Santa Paws Dawg away from them too.
Have you gotten your Adoption Story written yet? I am not going to put any pictures with mine, beclaws SARGE didn't know about that part and didn't send me any to post with his story.
Write this down... Frankie was being NICE to Sarge today. hehehe

Achieve1dream said...

I want one of those. Can you order them over the internet or anything? Where will you plant it? I can't wait to see it in a few years. :)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Congrats to the Buckeyes!!

This will be so much fun to watch the progress of your Sequoias-to-be. This is going to be exciting to watch.

Woos, the OP Pack

Lucy-Fur, as typed by Dr. Liz said...

Very nifty! I can't believe that those little dinky things grow into giants, but I'll believe you if you say so - and I'll be watching for updates!

*kissey face*
-Fiona

Sam said...

Those are some biiiig trees! You must have a lot of property if you plan to plant them at home.

Oskar said...

Those are such cute little trees!

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

Brutus! thank you for all the nice comments on my blog! i am on a super duper computer right now, because i am unable to leave comments on my own computer and didn't want you to think i was rude--so i am reading but can't comment! sorry!!! and thank you so much for visiting our bloggy!!! saige and guinness the splorin wolfies

Two French Bulldogs said...

Brutus no pee pee on that tree til it gets a drop bigger.
Benny & Lily
We love licking Annie's face but we will also try nibbling next time we visit her.

Sonic said...

That is one giant tree! I'm gonna need a ladder to mark that big thing!

You'd better mark yours while it's still small!

Sonic

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

Maybe you can start the first Ohio Sequoia Forest Brutus!!

Smileys!
Dory

Deborah said...

WOW, I hope your house is big!!!

I posted about the PAW it FORWARD today! Thank you again!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

We'll enjoy watching its progress!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Smushie Ranch said...

Oh Brutus, how neat that you have a baby tree growing in your house!

Maybe someday your mom will plant it in your yard and then you'll be able to pee on it.

We went camping in the Redwoods with our mom and dad. Send us your email and we'll send you some fun pics! Oh and your address too!

xoxo
Gunther
hbrunner11@yahoo.com

Scooter said...

Hey Brutus,
What a cool tree you are growing. When it gets super big you can take a nice nap under that thing!!!

Snoozzzzz's
Jazzi

Smushie Ranch said...

Handsome Brutus,

We posted some pics of our new sister. Her name is Roxy. You've probably seen her on the FBRN page. We had to wait a bit longer because she had a series of seizures, poor baby. She's doing great now. When mom gets back from taking El Guapo to his forever family in Hawaii, she's getting right back on a plane to go get Roxy in Ohio!

She's a cutie, but you better have eyes only for me dear Brutus..

Snorts and kisses,
Stella

Moose said...

How totally cool Brutus! Thanks for sharing and we will stay tuned for future developments!

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

What a cute tree ... We are glad to see it's growing well!


Wags and Licks,
Mollie Jo & Bobo

Ziggy Stardust said...

I hope your Mommy names the little tree "Brutus" It just seems right.

licks and sniffs, Sasha

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Congrats on your Buckeye win!!

It seems unbelievable that those little trees could become anything. We're anxious to see how they mature.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

Dexter said...

Uh oh, Brutus. Might want to move that tree outside before it grows too big and attacks you.

Slobbers,
Mango

Freya's Human said...

How exciting! I'm attempting to grow a Venus Fly Trap myself. I figured in Georgia with all those gnats--it will be some good eating for the little guy when he comes out of hibernation (did you know, that they hibernated? I didn't.)

Cocorue said...

hey Brutus, that's one cute tree but it wouldn't stay cute for long....would love to see it all grown up one day

chikisses and have a happy Thanksgiving
we don't celebrate it here but we're thankful you're in our lifes

Unknown said...

Oh, Brutus! I can think of yummier things. Be careful, dude. The other day our cats accepted delivery of an Azalea which they promptly went to work on, before Mom saw them. Luckily they immediately got sick and we didn't have to go to the hospital. Silly cats!
Twink!

Kari in Alaska said...

I bet he is dreaming of watering the trees! I am excited for the Rose Bowl :)

Bijou said...

Wow Brutus, you got your own little Sequoia forest there in Ohio. You be nice now. No watering the trees!

Waggles,
Bijou

Unknown said...

Interesting pictures.

Molly the Airedale said...

How cool that you have a baby Sequoia! We can't wait to see it decorated as a Christmas tree one year at your house, Brutus!
Congratulations to your Buckeyes!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

houndstooth said...

Now I want to grow my own trees!

Astrid Keel said...

wow, those are pawsome trees! congrats to your bukeyes!
xoxo,
Brownie