General Sherman

The General Sherman Tree is the largest living thing on Earth by volume. Located in California's Sequoia National Park, this giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is estimated to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. While not the tallest tree, its massive trunk, measuring over 100 feet in circumference, makes it unparalleled in sheer bulk. Giant sequoias are native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains and are known for their fire-resistant, reddish-brown bark. Most of the remaining groves are now protected in national parks and forests, though the species is listed as endangered due to threats like wildfires exacerbated by climate change.12