The world’s biggest tree under threat by insects which could destroy it within six months

By Holly Kintuka, Reporter

The General Sherman tree is the world's largest by volume (Image: Getty)

The world’s largest tree is located in California’s Sequoia National Park which sees tourists from all over the world come and pay a visit to admire the famous sequoia tree.

The General Sherman tree has a trunk volume of a whopping 1,487 metres cubed, making it the world’s largest tree by volume.

No one has ever climbed the 2,200-year-old tree that was before this year.

Researchers led by Anthony Ambrose, executive director of the Ancient Forest Society, climbed the 275ft tree to check on its health. 

Both hot and dry weather, as well as wildfires, have put the trees at risk in recent years, which is why the researchers want to check on any potential damage to the tree.

Between 2020 and 2021, California state officials said a record-setting number of wildfires killed around 20% of the world’s mature sequoias, which is around 75,000.

Fortunately, when the climbers had finished inspecting the tree and got back to the ground, they were able to share the good news that the “tree is doing fine right now.”

However, besides the wildfires, there is another concern that has become an increasing threat to the trees – bark beetles. 

Sequoia National Park officials have reported that the insects which dig holes in the highest parts of the trees, making their way down, have killed around 40 sequoia trees, most of which have been in the national parks.

Bark beetles are destroying giant Sequoias (Image: Getty)

Ben Blom, director of stewardship and restoration at Save The Redwoods League, said: "The most significant threat to giant sequoias is climate-driven wildfires.”

Save The Redwoods League is a non-profit organisation which aims to protect and restore the giant trees. 

He added: “But we certainly don't want to be caught by surprise by a new threat, which is why we're studying these beetles now."