Giant Sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Cupressaceae
Tree Category
Evergreen, Conifer, Specimen Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9.
About This Tree
Massive evergreen with a distinct conical or pyramidal shape when young, becoming more rounded with age. Features a very thick, tapered trunk and dense, upward-sweeping branches.
Leaf Characteristics
Awl-shaped, scale-like needles, 3-6mm long, arranged spirally on the shoots. Foliage is dark green to bluish-green and remains on the tree year-round.
Bark Characteristics
Extremely thick (up to 2 feet), fibrous, furrowed, and spongy. Reddish-brown in color, providing significant protection against forest fires.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA.
Growing Season
Evergreen with year-round growth; produces pollen in late winter/early spring and cones that take 18–20 months to mature.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred. Requires deep, well-drained soil with consistent moisture, though mature trees are moderately drought-tolerant.
Mature Size
Height of 160-275 feet with a spread of 25-60 feet. Moderate growth rate when young, exceptionally long-lived (up to 3,000+ years).
Special Characteristics
Highly fire-resistant bark; contains high levels of tannin which resists fungal rot and insect pests. Known for being the world's largest tree by volume.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides essential nesting habitat for rare birds like the Spotted Owl; seeds are a food source for Douglas squirrels and various bird species.