JOINED AT THE ROOTS
What is the strongest tree in North America?
Sequoia sempervirens is the sole living species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family. Common names include Coastal Redwood, California Redwood, and Giant Redwood. It is an evergreen that can live up to 1800 years or more. This species includes the tallest trees on Earth, reaching up to 379 feet (115.5 m) in height (without the roots) and up to 26 feet (7.9 m) in diameter at breast height
Surprisingly, Coastal Redwoods have very shallow roots. Yet it is rare for a Redwood to topple even from disease. WHY? The Redwood wraps its root system around the roots of other Redwoods. Redwoods become a network and their roots support one another and keep them from falling. Together they are strong!
ECCLESIASTES 4: 9,10, 12
9. Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What do you wrap your roots around? What have you found as a source of strength that can keep you from falling?