Science & Nature • Trees

Sequoia (giant sequoia)

Sequoia usually refers to the giant sequoia, scientifically known as *Sequoiadendron giganteum*, a conifer in the cypress family.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sequoia usually refers to the giant sequoia, scientifically known as *Sequoiadendron giganteum*, a conifer in the cypress family. It is native to scattered groves on the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada and is widely noted for being the largest tree species by volume. The species is also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, or Wellingtonia.

Taxonomy

The giant sequoia is an evergreen conifer in the family Cupressaceae. Modern sources place it in the genus *Sequoiadendron* as the sole living species in that genus.

Distribution and habitat

Its natural range is very limited, consisting of scattered groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in central California. It grows at middle elevations in mixed-conifer forest.

Size and longevity

The giant sequoia is famous for exceptional bulk, with some trees reaching more than 300 feet in height and living for millennia. It is widely described as the largest tree species by volume.

Common names and usage

The species is commonly called giant sequoia, giant redwood, Sierra redwood, or Wellingtonia. In casual usage, “sequoia tree” usually refers to this species rather than the genus *Sequoia*.

Key facts

Giant sequoias are among the largest living organisms on Earth by volume.
The species is native to a narrow natural range in California’s Sierra Nevada.
Common alternative names include giant redwood and Sierra redwood.
The tree belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae.
Some specimens are estimated to be more than 3,000 years old.

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Canadian context

Giant sequoias are not native to Canada, but they are cultivated in some Canadian botanical gardens, arboreta, and private landscapes, reflecting Canadian interest in rare and ornamental conifers.[9]

Frequently asked questions

What is a sequoia tree?

In common usage, it usually means the giant sequoia, *Sequoiadendron giganteum*, a very large evergreen conifer native to California.

Is sequoia the same as redwood?

Not exactly. Giant sequoias are one kind of redwood, while coast redwoods are a different species in a different genus.

Where do giant sequoias grow naturally?

They grow naturally only in scattered groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California.

How old can sequoia trees get?

Many are estimated to live for 2,000 to 3,000 years, and some are reported at more than 3,000 years old.

How big can a giant sequoia be?

They can exceed 300 feet in height and are regarded as the largest trees in the world by volume.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/giant-sequoia
Supports: Scientific name, family, size, and distinction from coast redwood.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources — https://ucanr.edu/site/forestry-research-and-outreach/giant-sequoia-sequoiadendron-giganteum
Supports: Native range, common names, age, height, and grove distribution.
U.S. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/bigtrees.htm
Supports: Largest trees in the world and age range.
American Conifer Society — https://conifersociety.org/conifers/sequoiadendron
Supports: Genus placement, sole living species, and common-name usage.
University of British Columbia — https://blogs.ubc.ca/conifersubc/?page_id=62
Supports: Cultivation and presence in Canada, plus size and native range.