There is a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) named Washington (after George Washington) that was believed to be the second largest tree in the world (at 253.7 ft. in height!) until it was struck by lightning in 2003. The lightning strike caused a fire at the top of the tree that reduced Washington's height to about 229 feet. The fire released carbon that had been sequestered in wood into the environment in the form of: