On Friday, July 30th, around 4:30pm, the sequoia tree in front of the Yosemite Museum was struck by lightning. The amazingly loud sound was heard all over the village and lower housing area, and the strike was witnessed by several Valley Interpretation staff. No one was injured and the tree did not catch fire. Over the weekend, it became clear that the tree was split and was leaning towards the Admin building. On Monday, the Valley Forestry crew accessed the tree with a crane & bucket. They determined that the trunk of the tree had been substantially damaged internally and had to come down, which was completed on Thursday August 5th. This tree was planted for the opening of the Yosemite Museum in 1926 as an 8 year old sapling, replacing the first sequoia planted in the spot which died in 1925. Future plans for the space have not been decided. (
