this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2025
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Mildly Interesting

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I was looking through some old vacation pictures and came across this one. It sure gives a perspective on how big these trees are.

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[–] [email protected] 44 points 1 day ago* (last edited 18 hours ago) (3 children)

Fun fact, General Sherman (the biggest tree on earth by volume) is officially measured in baths. This is an actual sign at the ~~state~~ national park

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago

Americans will use anything except the metric system

[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Come on… American units are entirely absurd but this sign clearly displays both cubic feet and cubic meters.

These numbers are difficult to conceptualize so they’re accompanied by number of baths for context. Nothing official about baths.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Ok, yes pedantically. “An official sign posted at the General Sherman Tree measures the tree in baths. The sign was made by national park officials, posted by national park officials, and is maintained by the official national park service. Though the national park office made this measurement and posted it, it is not an official measurement of said tree. That should only be done in cubic feet and/or meters.”

I’ve since fixed my comment specifically for your enjoyment

Edit: forgot Sequoia was a national park. Different office, still official

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

reposted to /anythingbutmetric

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I remember that tree. The sign wasn't so pretty back when I went.