"SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — Giant Sequoias growing in California's Sierra Nevada are among the largest and oldest living things on earth, but scientists climbing high up into their green canopies say they are seeing symptoms of stress caused by the state's historic drought.

Patches of brown, dead foliage are appearing more than in past years, say researchers studying the iconic trees, which only grow naturally in the Sierra Nevada. By taking stock of groves that are most vulnerable, scientists say they can better manage the forest through the hotter, drier droughts expected in the future.

'They're beautiful, majestic trees,' said Koren Nydick, a National Park Service ecologist and part of the research team focused on the treasured trees. 'People come from all over the world to see the Giant Sequoias.'"

Scott Smith reports for the Associated Press September 24, 2015. [2]