Sequoiadendron giganteum, Giant Sequoia (6)

Mature Giant Sequoias are the largest trees in the world, averaging between from 200 feet to 270 feet in height and 6 feet to 15 feet in diameter. The largest is over 300 feet tall and 16 feet in diameter and is located in Sequoia National Park (Barbour and Major, 1988). The species is endemic to California and is found naturally in montane coniferous forests in the western Sierra Nevada, between 2500 feet and 8900 feet. Trees are usually found in groves that have a disjunct distribution (Barbour and Major, 1988). The groves oftenhave north facing aspects and are located where soil moisture is relatively high (Stuart and Sawyer, 2001). Leaves are sharp and pointed and have a bluish tint. Barrel shaped cones occur at the terminus of the branches. The bark of mature trees is thick, fibrous, and reddish.

The Giant Sequoia needs fire for successful reproduction (Stuart and Sawyer, 2001). Primarily, fire is needed to clear the understory in order to make room for saplings and to ensure that the young trees have enough sunshine. The bark of mature trees is very fire resistant, allowing trees to survive periodic fires.

Unfortunately, the importance of fire was not realized until recently (Barbour and Major, 1988). Since most of the Sequoia groves are in protected areas where fires were stopped, the reproductive cycle of the Sequoia was interrupted. However, new understandings of the importance of fire in natural ecosystems has led to the use of controlled burns in Sequoia groves.