Giant Sequoia

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Cupressaceae · coniferous tree · introduced

Last updated

Giant sequoia, also called big tree or wellingtonia, is the largest tree on Earth by volume, native to the western Sierra Nevada of California. These massive evergreen conifers reach 250+ feet tall with massive, unbranched trunks and fibrous, reddish bark up to 2 feet thick. The foliage is blue-green and scale-like.

Giant sequoia naturally grows in deep, well-drained soil in groves where fire historically promoted regeneration. The trees are extremely long-lived (over 3000 years) and grow moderately fast once established. Outside their native Sierra Nevada habitat, they require cool climate with adequate moisture and are rarely grown except in botanical collections.

Quick Facts

Height
40–100 ft (in cultivation); 250–300 ft (wild)
Spread
25–35 ft (in cultivation)
Growth Rate
Fast
Light
Full Sun
Soil
Well Drained
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 6a–8b
Origin
California, western slope of the Sierra Nevada
Watch for this season
Botryosphaeria DiebackModerate

Infection Through Wounds

Phenological Calendar

Stage Typical Window
New growth flush BBCH 11 Mar 15–Apr 30
Shoot elongation BBCH 31 May 1–Jul 15
Pollination BBCH 61 Apr 15–May 15
Pollen shed complete BBCH 69 May 15–Jun 15
Cone enlargement (year 1) BBCH 71 Jun 1–Sep 30
Cone maturity (year 2) BBCH 85 Aug 1–Sep 30

Diseases: Other Associations (2)

Pests: Other Associations (1)

Cultivars (5)

''Albospica''
Dwarf compact globe speckled with white foliage. Grows about 6 inches (15 cm) per year.
Hardy to USDA Zone 6.
''French Beauty''
Upright form, initially very bushlike. Twigs thin, upright, with a large number of white parts, especially branchlet tips. Less vigorous than the species.
Hardy to USDA Zone 6.
''Pendulum''
Tall, narrow pillar, only 3 ft (0.9 m) wide; often leans. Short, pendulous branches with mane-like appearance. Develops irregular, sculptural form with age.
Hardy to USDA Zone 6. Introduced in 1863 by a nurseryman of Nantes, France; in the North American nursery trade since about 1907.
''Von Martin''
Not a true dwarf but grows at approximately 1/4 the rate of the species (6–8 inches / 15–20 cm per year). Forms a compact pyramidal shape; may reach 10 ft tall and 8 ft wide (3 x 2.4 m) in 10 years. Some sources list growth at only 3–4 inches per year.
Hardy to USDA Zone 6. Originated as a seedling selected in the 1990s, apparently in the Netherlands.
''Hazel Smith''
Columnar-pyramidal form with striking blue-green foliage. Exceptionally vigorous: grows up to 1.75 m per year (vs. 1 m for species). Selected for cold hardiness among seedlings grown from seed collected from the northwest of Sequoiadendron's natural range.
Hardy to USDA Zone 6, possibly Zone 5. Selected by Don and Hazel Smith, Watnong Nursery, New Jersey.
Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.