pinterest-circle facebook-circle twitter-circle instagram-circle ss-standard-direct-right ss-standard-cart ss-standard-close ss-standard-exit ss-standard-notebook ss-standard-redirect ss-standard-rows ss-standard-search ss-standard-user
cart list log in search

Tree Guide

More in the Tree Guide
print Print

Giant SequoiaSequoiadendron giganteum

  • Giant Sequoia evergreen
This majestic columnar evergreen has bluish green needles that vary in length with 1 and 1/2" to 3" reddish-brown cones. Its rich reddish-brown trunk stands out in any landscape. Grows in many different soils, and requires full sun. Matures at 60'-100' under cultivation in East, 90'-250' in the wild. 25'-35' spread. (Zones 6-8)
price Pricing Information

Hardiness Zones

The giant sequoia can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 6–8. View Map

Tree Type

Mature Size

The giant sequoia grows to a height of 60–200' and a spread of 25–35' at maturity.

Growth Speed Medium Growth Rate

This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.

Sun Preference

Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

Soil Preference

The giant sequoia grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. It prefers moist conditions, with no flooding and only slight drought tolerance.

Attributes

This tree:
  • Is a very long-lived tree.
  • Thrives in larger spaces.
  • Makes an excellent specimen tree and buffer strip. When planted 20' apart, they also serve as excellent windbreaks.
  • Features bluish-green needles, spirally arranged on the terminal leader and approximately ¼" in length.
  • Produces reddish-brown cones that are somewhat egg- or barrel-shaped and 2–3½" long with pitted scales.
  • Should be watered during dry periods for better growth and health.
  • Grows in a pyramidal shape when young, shifting to a more columnar shape with age.

Wildlife Value

Giant sequoias are primarily used for shelter. Mature cones are collected and stored by Douglas squirrels (chickarees), and the sequoia seedlings are eaten by chipmunks, sparrows and finches.

History/Lore

The name sequoia came from the Cherokee Chief Sequoyah, who was also famed for framing the alphabet of his Native American tongue. Early loggers are said to have destroyed hundreds of ancient sequoias in search of wood for roof shingles, flumes, fence posts and poles. But sequoia wood lacks strength and breaks easily across the grain. When they would fell these massive trees, large portions of the trunk would shatter into thousands of short, jagged and worthless shards. Other portions of the tree were left behind because they were simply too large to haul out of the forest.