Coastal Redwoods versus the Giant Sequoias
The Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron gigantean) of the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is home to 75 amazing groves of Giant Sequoias nestled in the Western Slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These Groves of Giant Sequoias are found in Sequoia National Park , Kings Canyon & in the Yosemite national park. Its scientific name is Sequoiadendron gigantean .There are only three major groves of Giant Sequoias within the Yosemite National Park: The Mariposa grove, Merced & Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. These giant trees were named after the Cherokee Indian Chief known as Sequoyah.
The Giant Redwoods are different. They grow up on lower elevation and far along California Pacific Ocean. California Coastal Redwoods naturally grow only in a narrow strip along the Pacific Coast. Home to the world's tallest trees (378 feet talll). See our comparison diagram between the Sequoias and the Coastal Redwoods for more information:
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Coastal Redwoods | Diagram Comparison | Giant Sequoias | 
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| REDWOOD FACTS | Factors of comparison |
SEQUOIA FACTS |
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Sequoia sempervirens/coast redwoods(cypress family or Cupressaceae) |
Scientific name Family |
Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant Sequoias (cypress family or Cupressaceae) |
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sempervirens -- from the Latin meaning "always green" |
Species Name |
Sequoia – from the Cherokee Indian chief Sequoyah |
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the tallest living tree on earth up to 370ft |
Characteristics |
the largest living tree on earth up to 40 ft L. |
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Alluvial soils on flats and benches, stands in dense forest requires moisture and fog. |
Habitat |
In Granatic and rocky soil in scattered coniferous groves in the Western slope of California. |
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In narrow strip along the pacific coast from s. Oregon down to Monterey County. Grew by the sea level up to750 ft |
Range & Elevation |
Sierra Nevada between 4500 to 7500 feet high |
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Up to 2,2000 years |
Age |
To 3,200 years |
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Up to 1.7 million lbs |
Weight |
Up to 2.8 million lbs. |
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200 to 370 ft (Redwood N.P.) |
Height |
150 to 300 feet |
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(23 ft) diameter at base |
Circumference at Ground |
102.6 |
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10 to 25 ft |
Maximum Diameter at Base |
Up to 38 ft. diameter |
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Fibrous reddish-brown |
Tree trunk |
Fibrous reddish-brown very wide |
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12 in, Spongy, fibrous with a bright red-brown. Thanks to its thick bar it resists fire |
Bark |
Thicker up to 33 in. spongy . Thanks to its thick bar it resists fire |
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Tinny elliptical, reddish-brown Hanging down at end of leafy twig. maturing in 1 season |
Cone |
Unlike male cone, female cones have 1-20 ovules on each scale, measure 0.4 - 6 cm long with an oval shape, maturing in 2 seasons |
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9 to 75 ft |
Height of First Large Branch above the Base |
130 to 140 ft high |
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Each cone scale bears 3-7 seeds, each seed 3-4 mm long and 0.5 mm broad, with 2 wings 1 mm wide. The seeds are released when the cone scales dry out and open at maturity. |
Seed Size |
2-5 seeds under cone scale light brown,2-winged. As large as grape seeds, So small that it takes 91.000 seeds to equal 1 pound |
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1 - 3.50 ft |
Diameter of Largest Branch |
6.8 to 8 ft. diameter larger than anyone Sq.tree |
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9 to 75 ft |
Height of First Large Branch above the Base |
130 to 140 ft high |
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By seed or root sprout |
Reproduce |
By seed only. seeds eaten by squirrels& birds |
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2 types of Evergreen :needle & unequal (10-20 mm) flat, stiff and sharp-pointed spreading in 2 rows |
Leaves |
Evergreen crowded and overlapping(3-7mm) |
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Conditions to germinate |
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Shallow roots: 6 to 12 feet deep |
Root system |
Shallow roots: 8 to 14 deep Spread out 50 to 90 fee |
