Sequoia Tree Facts for Kids

A Picture of a Giant Sequoia Tree
  • Common Name: Giant Sequoia
  • Species Name: Sequoiadendron giganteum
  • Genus: Sequoiadendron
  • Family: Cupressaceae
  • Order: Pinales
  • Class: Pinopsida
  • Division: Pinophyta

16 Sequoia Tree Facts for Kids

  1. The giant sequoia is a very large coniferous redwood tree in the Sequoiadendron genus.
  2. The scientific species name for the giant sequoia is Sequoiadendron giganteum.
  3. The giant sequoia is most well-known for its massive size and longevity.
  4. There are living giant sequoia specimens that are well over 3,200 years old.
  5. A mature giant sequoia tree has an average height between 164 and 279 feet.
  6. A mature giant sequoia tree has an average trunk diameter between 20 and 26 feet.
  7. A mature giant sequoia produces seed cones that are between 1.5 and 3 inches in length.
  8. The seed cones of a giant sequoia can live for up to 20 years.
  9. Several different living sequoia specimens hold different world tree records for size, volume and lifespan.
  10. A giant sequoia located in the Sequoia National Forest, California, United States is considered the sixth tallest living tree in the world. The last time it was measured it had a height of 314 feet.
  11. A giant sequoia tree known as General Sherman is considered the largest living tree by volume. It’s located in the Sequoia National Forest, California, United States and has an estimated trunk volume of 52,500 cubic feet.
  12. A giant sequoia known as General Grant has the fourth largest trunk diameter in the world. It’s located in General Grant Grove, California, United States and has a trunk diameter of 29 feet.
  13. A giant sequoia known only as CBR26 is the fourth oldest tree in the world. Before it died, it was in Sierra Nevada, California, United States and had an estimated age of 3,649 years.
  14. Giant sequoia trees have evolved to resist and actual benefit from forest fires.
  15. The bark of a giant sequoia tree prevents any significant damage from a forest fire. It’s thickness and composition insulate it from the heat of a fire.
  16. The seed cones produced by giant sequoias are activated by a fire. The heat from a forest fire will dry out the cones and, in a week, or two release its seeds. Since the fire will have cleared the soil of all vegetation it gives the seeds the best chance to germinate and grow.

Additional Resources on the Giant Sequoia Tree

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