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 |
|
| 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:
- https://www.conifers.org/cu/Sequoiadendron.php
- http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c236
- https://www.conifers.org/cu/Sequoiadendron.php
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/home/?cid=stelprdb5394941
- http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=136
- https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/34023/2840676
- 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.
