The giant sequoias are a wonder to behold, being the largest living organisms on the planet. These magnificent trees can fill you with wonder and awe, as it’s hard to believe that a living thing can attain such enormous dimensions and age. Also known as Sierra redwoods, the largest of these trees can accommodate a stadium full of people and can be found in California’s rugged Sierra Nevada mountain range.
These ancient trees have been growing for over 3,000 years, reaching heights of 290 feet and diameters of 36 feet at their base. Their massive trunks and branches can make one feel small in comparison. Yet there is a timeless majesty to them that evokes deep respect.
While their size and longevity are astonishing, the giant sequoias’ most remarkable quality may be their resilience. They have survived numerous environmental upheavals, from wildfires to climate change, retaining a quiet strength and perseverance over the centuries.
Amid the grandeur of Yosemite National Park or Sequoia National Park, walking among the giant sequoias fills you with a sense of connection to something vast, profound, and eternal. Their silent sentinels stand as a reminder of the power and endurance of nature.
The northernmost sequoia grow in Placer County in Tahoe National Forest, and the southernmost groves live in Giant Sequoia National Monument. The giant sequoias are some of the largest trees on Earth, and their longevity is unmatched in the plant kingdom. Though discovered long ago, these ancient trees continue to inspire wonder and awe. Visitors can walk beneath their canopy, touching history. The giant sequoias’ timeless presence reminds us of nature’s resilience and the importance of preservation.
Redwoods once spanned the Northern Hemisphere. The oldest known redwood fossils originate over 200 million years ago in the Jurassic period. Today, the last giant sequoias on Earth inhabit areas the size of Cleveland (48,000 acres), in about 73 groves scattered along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. These ancient trees, some over 2,000 years old, stand as sentinels of California’s natural heritage. Though diminished, the redwoods continue to inspire wonder at their immense size and longevity.
Though some logging of the giant sequoias’ groves occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was largely unprofitable and unsustainable. The giant sequoias are best appreciated standing tall in their native groves, not as lumber. The establishment of Sequoia NP helped shift perspectives and prioritize preservation over exploitation of these natural wonders.
Their immense size and age now attract visitors from around the world who come to marvel at these coastal redwoods in their original habitat. Some of the largest surviving giant sequoia groves can be seen in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and Yosemite National Park. Sequoias are found at elevations of 1,400–2,150 meters (4,600–7,050 feet) and can live to be 3,000 years old!
Giant sequoias are generally able to protect themselves against natural threats, allowing them to survive for thousands of years. They are too massive to be blown over in the wind, and their bark is thick and rich in tannins, which shield them against fire and insect damage. Fire is an important element of the giant sequoia forest. Periodic wildfires help to produce the conditions that sequoia seedlings need to thrive, including nutrient-rich soil, lots of sunlight, and an area free of competition from other plants.
Fire suppression policies in recent years have increased the growth of dense, brushy undergrowth and reduced the likelihood of giant sequoia regeneration. You can learn more about the impacts of fire on our Giant Sequoia and Fire page.
Giant sequoias grow so immense because they dwell an exceptionally lengthy time and thrive quickly. To flourish, they require a substantial amount of moisture, which they primarily obtain from the Sierra snowpack that accumulates over winter months and soaks into the ground when it melts. As they require well-drained soil, traversing the base of giant sequoias can cause harm, as it compacts the soil surrounding their shallow roots and prevents the trees from acquiring enough water.
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