In this incredible photograph by Michael Nichols, we see two scientists partway up a 350-foot tree. Botanist Marie Antoine (at right) can be seen passing a core sample of the tree’s wood—750 years of redwood biography—to canopy ecologist Giacomo Renzullo. Research now shows that the older such trees get, the more wood they put on.

This photograph is part of a fascinating story by National Geographic entitled, The Super Trees. It’s a great read with some more amazing photography by Michael Nichols in the article’s gallery.