Giant Sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum · Evergreen Coniferous Softwood
Plant Family
Cupressaceae
Tree Category
Evergreen / Conifer / Specimen Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 6 - 9. Adaptable to various climates but sensitive to extreme dry heat or heavy, waterlogged clay.
About This Tree
A massive, long-lived conifer with a distinct conical/pyramidal shape when young, becoming more rounded with age. Features a very thick, fibrous trunk and a dense crown of bluish-green foliage with downward-sweeping branches.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, awl-shaped (scalelike) needles arranged spirally on the shoot. They are bluish-green in color, about 3 to 6 mm long, and persist year-round.
Bark Characteristics
Reddish-brown, exceptionally thick (up to 2 feet in mature wild specimens), fibrous, and deeply furrowed. It is spongy to the touch and provides significant fire resistance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, USA. Widely planted in maritime temperate climates globally.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen growth; cones mature over two years. Dormancy is minimal except in extreme cold. Flowering (pollen release) occurs in late winter or early spring.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun. Requires well-drained soil and moderate to high moisture. While established trees have some drought tolerance, they prefer consistent deep watering similar to their native mountain fog-belt habitat.
Mature Size
Can reach 160-275 feet in height with a spread of 25-60 feet. Growth rate is moderate to fast (2 feet per year in youth). Can live over 3,000 years.
Special Characteristics
Extreme longevity, fire-resistant bark containing high tannins, timber is rot-resistant but brittle. Highly recognized as one of the largest living organisms on Earth by volume.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds and squirrels. The seeds within the cones are a food source for Douglas squirrels and certain beetles (Phymatodes nitidus) which help with seed dispersal.