Giant Sequoias - Monache Tub Grove Unit

---

A cone laden sequoia in this grove.

This grove unit is 69.5 acres in size. It is located about a mile southeast of Case Mountain off the north side of Salt Creek Ridge and within the confines of a sub-watershed that flows into the East Fork of the Kaweah River. Case Mountain at 6818 feet elevation is basically a high point along Salt Creek Ridge, which continues southeastward, and upward into Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. There are large flowing springs located in this grove. The Grove ranges from 5500 to 6300 feet in elevation. There is no public access to this grove.The south half of the grove is located on BLM lands and retains most of its large sequoias while the private portions have been logged of most of its larger sequoias during the 1940's-50's. One 10-foot diameter sequoia was cut in 1982 by different owners than the current landowner.

Sequoia Resource

There are 48 large giant sequoias on BLM that range in size from 3 to 15 feet in diameter, 366 sequoias that range in size from 4.5 to 35.9 inches in diameter and approximately 1240 hand-counted, mostly 1987 fire regenerated sequoia trees, all of which are located on BLM lands. There are 6 large sequoias located on private lands, which measure 4 and 5 feet in diameter. Sequoias sized from 4.5 to 35.9 inches in diameter have not yet been counted on private lands. It appears that fewer than 50 sequoias will be found in that size class. Most of the larger sequoias were logged fifty years ago. The 1987 fire crowned out across the lower portions of this grove taking out most conifers, including small sequoias, thus resulting in a brushfield growing over fallen slash with occasional living conifers poking out of the brush. A few large sequoia stumps can occasionally be found under the brush.

Fire History

In 1987 the 4360 acre Case Fire crowned out to the east of the Grove on strong east winds created by down drafting from a nearby thunderstorm. Flames raced westward into the grove. The lower half of the grove consisted of smaller sized mixed conifers and small sequoias, which were completely and rapidly destroyed by fire. The lower portion now contains heavy stands of predominantly deer brush, (Ceanothus integerrimus) over the area. The BLM portion fared better as the fire was mainly confined to the ground with occasional flare-ups. The entire grove unit was burned. The three other Groves located further east were also affected by the same crown fire event. The previous fire prior to 1987 occurred in 1928. Many of the larger sequoias have basal fire scars as well as many of the smaller sized sequoias. Prescribed burning is slated for 2003.

Logging History

This Grove was logged during the late 1940's to the mid-1950 for its mixed conifers and larger giant sequoias mainly on the private land portions. Mixed conifers were harvested on the BLM portions while the sequoia resource remains intact. Logging again occurred during 1982 on the private portions only. Mixed conifers were taken and one 10-foot diameter sequoia was also cut. Previous landowners before sale of property made this harvest in 1983. Approximately 90 percent of the sequoias on BLM are logging-regenerated trees ranging in size from 4.5 to 35.9 inches in diameter. Few sequoias of this size class survived the 1987 fire across the lower private portion of the grove. A good selection of mixed conifers can still be found in the BLM portion of the Grove in addition to black oak being found in the more open areas.

Regeneration

Small but scattered 1987 fire-regenerated giant sequoia nurseries are found mainly on the BLM portions of the grove. Some of these young trees are up to 15 feet tall as of 2001. Many of these young sequoias are stunted due to competition and excessive shading from a brush overstory. Young white fir, incense cedar, sugar pine and ponderosa pine saplings can be commonly found throughout the grove.

Reforestation

Giant sequoia seedlings were planted in 1988 soon after the fire on portions of the privately owned sections of the grove by the current landowner. Approximately 400 robust sequoia saplings ranging to 25 feet in height can be found dotted throughout the brush-covered slopes below Coffeepot Road. Some of these young trees are already bearing cones. The sequoia stock originated from the Mountain Home Grove approximately 25 miles southeast of the Case Mountain area. There is also a small planting of the same sequoia stock located 1/3-mile upslope and west of the Grove boundary. Approximately 15 healthy trees can be found in this isolated planting. In addition, there are several hundred healthy planted ponderosa pines from 1988, which are located, adjacent to the lower west side of the Grove.

Monache Tub Reports
Photo Gallery Images
Fire regeneration Images