Sequoiadendron giganteum
Occurrence: U.S.A, California. Native to a 2027km belt of mixed coniferous forest on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They are found at elevations of 900- 2133 m above sea level.
Older names: mammoth sequoia, mammoth tree, giant sequoia, Wellingtonia
Life expectancy: +3000 years
Height: The tree can grow up to a height of about 90 m with a diameter of 11 m
Adult sequoia and its water consumption: An adult sequoia consumes between 1900 and 3000L of water per day during the summer. They get most of their water from melting snow.
The largest tree on the planet: General Sherman
Tree volume: 1487 m3. From one such tree it is possible to obtain enough wood to build 120 average houses.
Naming: after an American general who fought in the American Civil War.
More detailed information
Optimum soil: giant sequoias grow best in deep, well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Giant sequoias adapt well to all soil types as long as their considerable water needs are met. Trees need constant moisture coupled with good drainage, especially during the growing season. Large trees do not tolerate drought. Seedlings have a problem with soils that are too wet, and they are also uncomfortable with very dry soils.
Despite its great need for moisture and nutrients, the giant sequoia does not over-exploit the surrounding resources at its disposal. On the contrary, it tends to form a very stable and long-term relationship with the surrounding soil. Systematic analysis and measurement of soil conditions around sequoias of different ages show a constant and reliable amount of various chemical elements necessary for their comfort.
Root system: Most of the root system of giant sequoias is made up of small feeding threads that extend from the larger roots near the base of the tree. None of the large roots is likely to be more than 0.9 m in diameter. The entire root system extends to a depth of 4 to 5 m from the soil surface. This is a surprisingly fragile foundation for an above-ground structure that can rise 76 m to 91 m. The width of the root system can extend up to 45 m. from the trunk of the tree.
Growth: for the first fifty to one hundred years they can probably grow around 0.6 m per year.
Wood: light, red in colour, soft, Wood from mature giant sequoias is highly resistant to rot, but because it is fibrous and brittle it is generally unsuitable for construction purposes. Because of their weight and fragility, the trees often shatter when they hit the ground. The wood was mainly used for shingles and fences, or even for matches. Wood from young trees is less brittle. Recent tests on young plantation trees show that the younger wood is of similar quality to wood from coast redwoods.
Bark: Sequoias have the thickest bark in the world. In places it can be 60 cm thick. It does not contain flammable resin.
Needles: The needles are grey-green to bluish-green.
Seeds and cones: 4-7 cm large, ripen in 18-20 months. Cones have roughly 30-50 spirally placed scales with a few seeds per scale. The cone contains approximately 230 seeds. An adult redwood produces roughly 300 000-400 000 seeds each year.
Fire: Sequoias require forest fires for their reproduction. They are needed to open the cones and drop the seeds, burn the attacked needles and create space for them to root and grow. These days, rangers are deliberately and controlledly burning areas in the national park.
Are you interested in a Sequoia seedling? You can find our offer here: Giant sequoia trees
Video documents
Find out how much trouble excessive drought is causing these trees.
A short informational video about what you can find in Sequoia National Park
What is it like to climb the biggest trees in the world?
Sources:
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1151&fbclid=IwAR2U6wezsuOX7tlEl630GWh-a3qh0SEvmtzGshCJpHmC-i9Ow5CqDnaiADw
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/much-peat-moss-should-mix-soil-giant-sequoia-93896.html?fbclid=IwAR0F_qeHj2BjaAAq5NPetSTW_WpW4pkl0xUieJmK5I9XIDbkl6ChAzj0jLg
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron_giganteum