Sequoia: The Living Giant
These endangered trees are considered to be one of the largest living things on Earth.
BRIT Collections
Botanical Research Institute of Texas | Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Sequioadendron giganteum is also known as the Giant Sequoia, Sequoia gigantea, Giant Redwood, Sierra Redwood, Wellingtonia, and even "Big Tree".
Sequoiadendron giganteum is the only living species within the genus Sequoiadendron.
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Streetview of Sequoia National Park in California
It is speculated that the name "Sequoia" honors Sequoyah of the Cherokee Nation who invented the Cherokee syllabary, enabling the reading and writing of the Cherokee language.
Characteristics
Sequoiadendron giganteum is the world's most enormous tree by volume - meaning it has the highest wood volume to a single stem. These giants can grow up to an average of 250-275 feet high.
Plant specimen (2013-03-15) by HansBRIT Collections
Although Sequoiadendron giganteum is not the world's oldest tree, it is among some of the oldest living organisms, known to reach up to 3,200 years of age, according to ring counts.
The Giant Sequoia's bark is fibrous and thick, which aids the tree in protecting itself from fire. Should fire penetrate its bark, new growth may heal the scar. These dark, fire-charred scars are visible on the classic red/orange Giant Sequoia bark.
Plant specimen (2024-10-26) by Chris LightBRIT Collections
The needles of Sequoiadendron giganteum are relatively small and cover the tree's branches completely. The tree's cones are egg-shaped and are about 2-3 inches in size. These cones contain hundreds of small, light seeds.
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Streetview of Sequoia National Park in California
Sequoiadendron giganteum is naturally distributed throughout a limited area of the western Sierra Nevada in California.
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Streetview of Sequoia National Park in California
Beyond the Sierra Nevada region in California, Sequoiadendron giganteum has been planted around the world in countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
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Sequoia National Park in California
National parks and monuments such as the Sequoia National Park and the Giant Sequoia National Monument are dedicated to Sequoiadendron giganteum.
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General Sherman at Sequoia National Park, California
Although Sequoiadendron giganteum trees were previously utilized for commercial purposes between the 1850s to the mid-1950s, they are more commonly used for tourism and horticulture today
Plant specimen (2016-05-24) by m01229BRIT Collections
General Sherman
The world's largest tree is a Sequoiadendron giganteum in California's Sequoia National Park. The middle-aged Giant Sequoia is about 52,500 cubic feet in volume and is named "General Sherman."
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The Giant Sequoia National Monument totals 328,315 acres
The Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan was completed in August 2012. It guides restoration of Sequoiadendron giganteum ecosystems and protects mountain communities.
Plant specimen (1880/1889) by National Parks GalleryBRIT Collections
Sequoiadendron giganteum is listed as an endangered species
Between the 1880s and 1920s, these trees were heavily logged for commercial usage. Giant sequoias are now threatened by droughts, wildfires, improper prescribed fires, and climate change.
Plant specimen by National Park ServiceBRIT Collections
Foil helps minimize fire ignition and spread
Giant Sequoias have lived for thousands of years adapting to periodic fire. Prescribed fires ultimately aid in the health of Sequoiadendron giganteum groves. However, large, high-severity wildfires kill many Giant Sequoias.
This informative video is produced by Public Resource Org.
Story by Alyssa Kosyaem, Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
Habeck, R. J., (1992). Sequoiadendron giganteum. Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/seqgig/all.html
Howell, E., (April 29th, 2013). What is the world's largest tree? Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/29144-worlds-largest-tree.html
Monumental Trees, (n.d.). The giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), the biggest tree in the world. Monumental Trees. https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/trees/giantsequoia/giantsequoia/
NPS, (July 9th, 2021). Giant sequoias. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/bigtrees.htm
USDA, (n.d.). Giant sequoia national monument management plan. United States Department of Agriculture: Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/landmanagement/planning/?cid=stelprdb5400271
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