Giant Sequoias - Ladybug Grove Unit

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A ladybug swarm in the Ladybug Grove.

This grove unit is 10.6 acres in size and is the smallest of the six units. The forest canopy consists of mixed conifers, giant sequoia and black oak. It is located about 1/3 mile east of the Monache Tubs Grove and is off the northeast side of Salt Creek Ridge and completely within the confines of a small sub-watershed, which drains into the East Fork of the Kaweah River. There is a large flowing spring in this unit. Elevations range from 5600 to 6000 feet within the grove. The west half of the grove is located on BLM lands while the east half is located on privately owned property. There is no public access to this grove. There are 3 large sequoias on BLM and 3 on private land. Five large sequoia stumps can be found on the private land. Different landowners than those of today cut these sequoias during the 1940's-50's logging period.

Sequoia Resource

There are a total of 6 giant sequoias (3 are located on BLM) that range in size from 5 to 11 feet in diameter, 179 trees from 4.5 to 35.9 inches in diameter, and approximately 121 hand-counted 1987 Case Fire-regenerated sequoias, all located on BLM lands. There are 28 sequoias ranging in size from 4.5 to 35.9 inches in diameter on the private lands and a similar number of 1987 fire-regenerated sequoias. All of the 4.5 to 35.9 inch diameter trees were generated by the 1940's-50's logging activity where sequoia and mixed conifers were harvested.

Fire History

Fire burned through the entire Grove in 1987. A ground fire affected the BLM portions of this grove while a crown fire affected a few portions of the private side of the grove. Conifers growing in areas below this Grove were completely destroyed where large brush fields are now found. The fire of 1928 completely burned through this grove. Most of the larger sequoias have basal fire scars as well as many smaller sequoias. Prescribed burning is slated for 2003.

Logging History

This Grove was logged during the 1940's -50's for both mixed conifers and sequoias. Both sequoias and mixed conifers were taken from private lands at that time, while only the mixed conifer component was logged on BLM lands. There are 5 large sequoia stumps found from the earlier logging period located on the private land portion of the unit. Approximately 95 percent of the sequoias located in this unit are generated by the early logging activities. It does not appear that any logging occurred in this grove during 1982 by previous landowners. There is a good population of mixed conifers to be found in the unit at this time. Black oak is generally found in the more open areas.

Regeneration

A few scattered pockets of 1987 Case Fire regenerated sequoias can be found in the Grove. Some of these young sequoias can be found growing outside what was once the old grove boundary, thus the Grove has expanded in area since the 1987 fire. A few of these trees are now 18 feet tall. Most are small due to shading and competition. Young mixed conifers are found throughout the grove area.

Reforestation

There appears to be no replanted trees in this grove unit.

Ladybug Grove Reports
Photo Gallery Images
Fire regeneration Images