Species PlantsGiant Sequoia

Giant Sequoia

Sequoiadendron giganteum

RarePlant
Illustration of Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

Giant Sequoia is the world's largest tree by volume, with some individuals holding over 52,000 cubic feet of wood. It grows only in 77 isolated groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada between 5,000 and 7,000 feet elevation. Fire is essential to its reproduction, opening cones and preparing seedbeds. Its thick, fibrous bark is highly fire-resistant.

Habitat
Isolated groves on western Sierra Nevada slopes, 5,000–7,000 ft elevation
Diet
Tiny seeds eaten by chickadees and Douglas squirrels; critical habitat tree
How common
Rare

Best time to see a Giant Sequoia

The best time to see a Giant Sequoia is May–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,036 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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