Giant Sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Cupressaceae
Tree Category
Conifer, Specimen Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (wild-type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 6 - 9; best in climates with cool, humid summers and snowy winters.
About This Tree
A massive, long-lived conifer with a distinct conical or pyramidal shape when young, becoming more irregular with age. It features an incredibly thick, cinnamon-colored trunk and a dense crown of bluish-green foliage with downward-sweeping branches.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, scale-like, awl-shaped needles arranged spirally on the shoots. They are roughly 0.12 to 0.24 inches long, bluish-green in color, and sessile (attached directly at the base).
Bark Characteristics
Reddish-brown or cinnamon-colored; extremely thick (up to 2 feet in ancient specimens); fibrous, spongy, and deeply furrowed. It provides significant protection against forest fires.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California; widely planted in temperate regions worldwide.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen growth; flowers in late winter to early spring; seed cones take 18-20 months to mature and can remain on the tree for 20 years.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun required; high water needs during establishment but moderately drought-tolerant once mature; prefers deep, well-drained, moist soil.
Mature Size
Can reach 60-275+ feet in height with a spread of 25-60 feet; growth rate is moderate to fast (1-2 feet per year); lifespan can exceed 3,000 years.
Special Characteristics
Extreme fire resistance due to thick bark containing no flammable resins; highest volume of wood of any tree on earth; high aesthetic value as a specimen tree.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds and squirrels; Dougals squirrels (chickarees) harvest cones for seeds; provides essential winter cover for various mammals.