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When we look at a large tree, it is inevitable that we feel a sense of solemn respect, and it is that observing those great colossi that have been there for centuries provides a perspective vision, which sometimes we really need. In the world, few are the trees that can equal in size to the giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum), also known as the forest giants. The giant sequoia is not the tallest tree on the planet (a redwood or Sequoia sempervirens, which is also a more common species than the giant), but it is considered the largest non-colonial organism in the world.
If you want to learn some things about these natural giants, keep reading us in this Green Ecologist article in which you will discover the Giant sequoia characteristics and where they are. In addition, you will see a gallery of photos of giant sequoias.
Giant sequoia characteristics
The giant sequoia consists of a single species: the Sequoiadendron giganteum. This conifer reaches heights of up to 95 meters, with up to 11 meters in diameter. However, there are more redwoods, being the Sequoia sempervirens or redwood the most common. With such dimensions, it is normal for anyone who loves nature who visits or contemplates a forest of giant sequoias to keep the memory for life, despite the fact that they are never found in forests comprised solely of these trees.
- The giant sequoia has a straight trunk of a reddish brown tone, completely free of branches during the first half of the trunk, from which adult trees begin to emit branches, usually straight as well, ending in a rounded crown at the end of the tree.
- Each individual produces both male and female cones or cones, containing more than 200 redwood seeds on average.
- Once the pineapple or cone dries, the wind carries the tiny winged seeds to their new location, where they will germinate if the conditions are right, which are mainly mineral soils and direct sunlight, without competition from other plant species.
- The thick bark of giant sequoias is known to have up to 60 cm of bark, is an exceptional defense against fires, which is why these trees tend to be healthier in places where the light fires are relatively common, since they eliminate competition and provide nutrients to the soil, in addition to helping to open the cones and disperse the seeds due to the contribution of heat.
Before continuing to know more curiosities and characteristics of the giant sequoias, we recommend that later you also read these other articles by Green Ecologist about What are trees and Araucarias, conifers or coniferous trees: types, names of species and characteristics.
How long does a giant sequoia take to grow?
Redwoods are said to be slow-growing trees, although, as with all plants, this largely depends on the circumstances and the environment in which they thrive. Giant sequoia trees take about 20 years to form a mature trunk and their first cones or cones, from which point they continue to grow at a rate of between 2 and 5 cm per year. In a controlled crop, it is possible to speed up this growth a bit by supplying it with compost in the form of organic matter such as compost, although even so, the growth rate will not increase too much.
The giant sequoia seedsIn addition, they have it quite difficult to germinate and develop since, as we have mentioned before, they need to grow in full light and in mineral soils, without competition from other plants. It is because of this that they grow more in areas with the occasional mild fire, since competition is less. Thus, under the ideal conditions, the oldest individuals on record are over 3,000 years old.
Where are the giant sequoias
You ask yourself where to see giant sequoias? Here we indicate the main places to see them.
Giant sequoias in the US
Giant sequoias are found naturally only in a very specific area in the western Sierra Nevada, California, less than 150 km². There is the giant sequoia park in California, the Sequoia National Park, which was created in 1890. Unfortunately, having given priority in past times to tourism and commercialization around these trees caused disasters such as the fall of the Pionner Cabin tree or Tree of the tunnel, one of the largest and oldest specimens that fell in a storm due to the tunnel made at its base. They can also be seen giant sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park.
Giant sequoias in Spain
However, in Cantabria there is a forest of giant sequoias that were planted there at the beginning of the Second World War and which is, since 2003, a natural monument. Located in Cabezón de la Sal, the giant sequoia forest in Cantabria It has 848 individuals, who have a height of about 40 meters.
Giant sequoias in Mexico
We also find giant sequoias in Mexico, specifically in Jilotepec, in Las Secuoyas park. The specimens there were brought from California, redwoods up to more than 100 feet tall.
General Sherman, one of the largest redwoods
The tree General Sherman It is not the tallest redwood in the world, but it is the largest sequoia in the world. It is, in fact, the living being with the highest amount of biomass on the entire planet. Although there are other taller trees, its large diameter of 11 meters and its height of 83.8 meters give it an enormous volume.
The General Sherman sequoia is located in the Sequoia National Park, and belongs to the species Sequoiadendron giganteum, that is, it is a giant sequoia.
Hyperion, the tallest redwood
The tallest tree in the world is Hyperion, a Sequoia sempervirens no less than 115.66 meters high. This is in the Redwood national park, also in California and north of San Francisco. Its specific location is kept secret to this day, in order to protect the specimen from the damage caused by the massive influx of tourism.
To finish, we advise you to take a look at this other post about 15 curiosities of nature that will surprise you and that you enjoy the gallery of pictures of giant sequoias that you will see below.
If you want to read more articles similar to Giant sequoias: characteristics and where they areWe recommend that you enter our Nature Curiosities category.
Photos of Giant Sequoias: Features and Where They Are
