Sequoiadendron

The genus Sequoiadendron contains a single species, the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), which is the most massive non-clonal organism by volume. These coniferous evergreen trees are native to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.1

Giant sequoias are distinct from coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), which are the tallest living trees. While once thought to be the oldest living things, the largest giant sequoias are less than 4,000 years old. The trees have reddish-brown, fire-resistant bark and compact cones that open after wildfires. The most famous specimen is the General Sherman tree, measuring 31 meters in circumference at its base and 83 meters tall.1

Despite their immense size, the wood of giant sequoias is brittle, which has helped protect them from widespread logging. Most groves are now protected in state or national parks and forests. However, the species is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to threats from fire suppression, drought, and global warming.1