Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron)

• Needles are scale-like with short, thick, sharp points.
  
  
  
• Cones are woody, egg-shaped, extremely hard, and 2-3" long.
  
  
  
• Bark is reddish-brown, stringy, and very thick.
  
  
  
  

Giant sequoias are the largest trees ever to inhabit the earth, and are among the oldest. Heights of 300 feet and diameters of 30 feet are not uncommon. Their ages commonly range from 2,000 to 3,000 years (only bristlecone pines are older). Although once widespread, giant sequoias now occur only in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California. Since 1890, giant sequoias have been protected in Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks, as well as in smaller individual groves. There is only one species within this genus, Sequoiadendron giganteum; it has the same common name as its genus, giant sequoia.

giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

• Needles: Needles are generally scale-like but have sharp tips. Blue-green in color.
• Fruit: Cones are woody, egg-shaped, extremely hard, and 2-3" long.
• Bark: Bark is thick, dark reddish-brown, and deeply furrowed. Trunks are greatly enlarged and buttressed at the base.
• Distribution: Grow in isolated groves scattered throughout the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains in central California. Trees are generally found at 4,900-8,200 ft. (1,500-2,500 m).