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Braving the Winter in Sequoia National Park

The Washington Tree in California's Sequoia National Park once stood at more than 254 feet tall--about the size of a 25-story building--and is believed to be the second-largest tree in the world. But centuries of snow and windstorms have taken its toll, along with a forest fire two years ago that reduced the Washington Tree to less than half its original height. Now park rangers speculate that the ancient tree, estimated to be as much as 3,200 years old, may be in the final decades of its life after this winter's storms. Bill Tweed, chief naturalist at Sequoia National Park, shares how the world's largest trees survive the winter and how the Washington Tree is faring.

Guests:

Bill Tweed, chief naturalist, Sequoia National Park.

This program aired on February 15, 2005. The audio for this program is not available.

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