Giant Sequoia is a member of the former Redwood Family, Taxodiaceae, a group of evergreen (and some deciduous) coniferous trees which were abundant in forests throughout the world during the mild, humid climate of the Miocene Period (about 13 million years ago). Over the millennia, many species in the former Redwood Family have become extinct, but there remain 15 species growing today in locations from America to China to Tasmania. Among these ancient species, Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is the undisputed king.
Giant Sequoias are our planet’s most massive living things; their size and majesty are awe-inspiring and utterly without equal in the plant kingdom. Visiting an old growth stand of Giant Sequoias is like walking among mighty columns supporting the cathedral of the skies. Indeed, no tree species in the world has sparked as much interest, reverence, and awe as the Giant Sequoia (a.k.a. Sierra Redwood or Big Tree). It's been called the "monarch of all conifers," "godlike giant of the Golden Age," and the "climax of American vegetation."
Giant Sequoia seeds are among the tiniest in the tree world, yet the trees which grow from them are the largest living things on earth, past or present. Ancient Giant Sequoias climb to heights of around 300 feet, and have massive, cinnamon-red trunks nearly 40 feet in diameter. These "vast structures of antiquity" have life-spans of more than 3,000 years, longer than any tree except the Bristlecone Pine. A hardy species, Giant Sequoias can grow in a surprisingly wide range of climates.
The Giant Sequoia is a mountain tree, growing at up to 9,000 feet in elevation. It is native exclusively to a very limited range along the western slopes of the Sierra-Nevada mountains in central California, where winters are cold and snowy and summers are hot and dry. Despite its limited natural range, the Giant Sequoia is a highly adaptable species. It is both cold hardy and heat tolerant, and can grow almost anywhere in the United States.
About Jonsteen's Seedlings
All of our trees are seed-grown at our nursery on California's Redwood Coast, which is inspected monthly and licensed by the California Department of Agriculture. Trees can provide a natural barrier against high winds, temperatures, noise pollution and soil erosion, all while benefiting local air quality, wildlife and property values — a Jonsteen seedling will only grow in value and beauty!
About Jonsteen's Packaged Live Trees
A great way to gift a tree! Jonsteen’s creative "mini-greenhouse" packaging preserves, protects, and informs. A staple of the National Parks for decades, this tried-and-true packaging looks fantastic and is super practical, making it possible for our trees to literally travel the world. Each tree is backed up by our 100% guarantee and includes a free growing brochure.
About Jonsteen's 100% Guarantee
All of our trees are guaranteed to arrive healthy and in good condition. If your tree perishes despite your honest efforts, we will be happy to replace it with a small-sized seedling for just the cost of shipping/handling. You can learn more about our guarantee and tree replacement policy here.
Seedling Size Chart: Small
Due to the dynamic nature of actively growing trees, as well as the tremendous variation between species’ growth rates, we rely on the cubic volume of a seedling’s root mass to determine its “size” (Small / Medium / Large / XL). Within each size there is minor variance — the dimensions provided here represent the category minimum. If exact measurements are essential, please contact us about current stock.
Caring for Sequoias
Despite its limited natural range, the Giant Sequoia is a highly adaptable species. It is both cold and heat hardy, and can grow almost anywhere in the United States. The two primary keys to success with the Giant Sequoia are: [1] a nice, sunny growing location; and [2] a watering cycle which allows the Giant Sequoia’s roots to dry out in between waterings.
