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Giant Sequoia

Giant sequoia trees are the giants of the plant kingdom, growing to large dimensions, both in height and volume. They are also very long-lived. It is the only living member of its genera.

Giant Sequoia Bonsai

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Cupressaceae
Subfamily Sequoioideae
Genus Sequoiadendron
Scientific Name Sequoiadendron giganteum

Giant Sequoia Trees

Giant Sequoia

Quick Information

Other Names Sierra redwood, Wellingtonia, Big Tree, giant redwood, Sierran redwood
Identification Size: 164-279 ft (50-85 m) on average

Needles (Leaves): Spirally arranged on the shoots, awl-shaped, 0.12-0.24 in (3-6 mm) long

Trunk Diameter: 20-26 ft (6-8 m)

Cones: Woody and oval-shaped, 1½-2½ inches (3.8-6.35 cm) in length, brown

Seeds: 0.16-0.20 inches (4-5 mm) in length and 0.039 inches (1 mm) in width, dark brown in color and with a yellowish-brown wing on each side

Tree Type Evergreen
Distribution Western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California; also cultivated in western and southern Europe, the North American Pacific Northwest up to Southwest British Columbia, Southern US, New Zealand, Southeast Australia and Southern-Central Chile
Habitat Scattered groves in mixed evergreen forests
Varieties
  • Blue
  • Powder blue
  • Compact blue
  • Pendulum or weeping
  • Hazel smith
Hardiness Zones 6-8
Growth Rate Fast
Lifespan 1,800-2,700 years
Growing Conditions Summer Conditions: Summers must be dry with a humid climate

Winter Conditions: Winters must be snowy

Rainfall: 35-55 inches (90-140 cm)

Soil: Alluvial and residual soils with a granitic base

Light: Full to partial sun

Diseases & Pests Root and heart rot disease, fungal infections caused by Heterobasidion annosum, Armillaria mellea, Poria incrassate and many others
Breeding System Monoecious
Propagation By seeds
Seedling Development Germination occurs quickly if the conditions are favorable
Wildlife Value Many birds and animals use this giant sequoia as shelter and a food source
Uses Decay-resistant wood used for plywood, veneer, and lumber; useful as an ornamental tree and sometimes used as a Christmas tree; also used in bonsai
IUCN Conservations Status Endangered

Giant Sequoia Leaves

Giant Sequoia Seeds

Pictures of Giant Sequoia

Giant Sequoias

Interesting Facts

  • The Giant Sequoia National Monument in California consists of all but one of the giant sequoia groves at the Sequoia National Park.
  • The Mariposa Grove of the Yosemite National Park is the largest giant sequoia grove in the park with many mature individuals.
  • The General Sherman Giant Sequoia tree is the largest giant sequoia by the diameter of its trunk which can be measured at 274.9 feet. It is also the world’s largest tree.

Giant Sequoia Tree

Giant Forest Sequoia

References:

  1. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Sequoiadendron.php
  2. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c236
  3. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Sequoiadendron.php
  4. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/home/?cid=stelprdb5394941
  5. http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=136
  6. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/34023/2840676
  7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron_giganteum#Cultivation

Published on March 12th 2017 by Sudipto Chakrabarti under Cypress.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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