Giant Sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Learn about the giant sequoia including when and why it was planted, how to identify it, and where to find it on campus.
Tree Facts
Family: Taxodiaceae
Type
Evergreen
Size
Large (greater than 50 feet)
Traits
- Small, reduced leaves
- Bark may be up to two feet thick at the tree base
- Green cones that can stay on the tree for up to 20 years
- Susceptible to scale, mites, and cankers
Native Range
- Western Sierra Nevada Mountains (California)
Story of the Tree
This is one of three members of the redwood family that can be found at Capitol Campus.
The giant sequoia is the most massive plant species on earth. U.S. conservationist John Muir led a campaign to preserve this species, which led to the 1890 designation of Sequoia National Park.
