"These giant trees are 5 meters [16 feet] in diameter at the base, and some are 2,000 years old — which means that the bud tissue is 2,000 years old," Peltier said.

Giant sequoias have been known to survive for over 3,000 years, while some coast redwoods can live beyond 2,000 years. This gives them ample time to grow larger and stronger.