Sequoia gigantea (Lindl.) Decne.
Sequoia wellingtonia Seem.
Sequoiadendron giganteum (Lindl.) J. Buchholz
Giant sequoia, sierra redwood
The giant sequoia is the only living species of genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three living species of cone-bearing trees called redwoods.
Plants: Although California redwoods are taller, giant sequoias have a larger volume. Giant sequoias reach 164–279′ (50–85 m) vs. California redwoods, which top out at 377′ (115 m). Giant sequoias also live longer, up to 3,500 years. Bark, up to 3′ (91 cm) thick at the bottom of the tree, is fibrous and furrowed. (Photo 1 is a baby tree planted in 1981, not a trick of perspective.
Leaves: 1/16–3/16″ (3–6 mm) long, arranged in spiral whorls.
Fruits: Cones are 1½–2½″ (4–7 cm) long.
Habitats: On the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.
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Some redwoods. |
Online References:
Americus giganteus (Lindl.) W.H. Hanford， nom. utique rej.
Sequoia gigantea (Lindl.) Decne.
Sequoia wellingtonia Seem.
Sequoia gigantea (Lindl.) Decne.
Sequoia wellingtonia Seem.
1 · “Out of its element here, the giant sequoia shares a heritage with the coast redwood. Mature sequoias do not reach the lofty heights of the tallest coast redwoods. Tolerant of extreme heat and cold, this mammoth thrives on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Unlike the coast redwood, the giant sequoia requires fire in the reproduction process.” · 8/28/2007 · Rte 199 State Park Info Place, Crescent City, California 
2 · 1/5/2026 · Sequoia National Park, Tulare Country, California · By Constance B. Kent 
3 · 1/5/2026 · Sequoia National Park, Tulare Country, California · By Constance B. Kent 
4 · The General Sherman Tree: the largest living thing on Earth. · 1/5/2026 · Sequoia National Park, Tulare Country, California · By Constance B. Kent 
5 · 1/5/2026 · Sequoia National Park, Tulare Country, California · By Constance B. Kent 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Coniferophyta | Conifers—cone-bearing trees (and a few shrubs) |
| Class | Pinopsida | Gymnosperms such as cedars, Douglas-firs, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauri, larches, pines, hemlocks, redwoods, spruces, and yews |
| Order | Pinales | Cone-bearing plants: cedar, cypress, fir, juniper, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, yew, and others |
| Family | Cupressaceae | Cypres family, including junipers and redwoods |
| Genus | Sequoiadendron | This name is derived from the genus name Sequoia and the Greek dendron for “tree,” hence Sequoia tree |
| Species | giganteum | Gigantic |
Sequoiadendron giganteum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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