Giant Sequoia

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Giant sequoia is the world’s most massive tree species, native to the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada. While not native to Oregon, it may be a good climate-adapted option for our region and has been grown in yards and garden here for over a century. These long-lived conifers can exceed 250 feet in height and 25 feet in diameter with cinnamon-red, deeply furrowed bark that is resistant to fire and decay. Their small, scale-like leaves and woody cones are resilient in fire-adapted ecosystems. Ecologically, giant sequoias provide critical habitat for birds, mammals, and insects, while playing a key role in carbon storage and forest resilience. Though resilient to many natural disturbances, they face new threats in their home range from climate change, drought stress, and high-severity wildfires.