COPEMISH, MI (AP)-- A Michigan-based organization that produces genetic copies of the world's oldest and largest trees says it has successfully cloned a sequoia planted by famed naturalist John Muir.
Muir planted the tree at his home in Martinez, Calif., in the early 1880s. It's now 75 feet tall but is dying from two fungal diseases.
The John Muir National Historic Site took cuttings from the tree last spring and sent them to the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, which has a propagation facility near Copemish, Mich.
The cuttings were treated with a cocktail of root-stimulating growth hormones. Archangel founder David Milarch says this week the cuttings have developed roots, indicating the cloning succeeded.
Muir founded the Sierra Club and was instrumental in establishing Yosemite National Park.