Giant Sequoia or Big-Tree Redwood
Sequoiadendron giganteum (formerly Sequoiadendron gigantea) (TAXODIACEAE)
Planting and Growing Giant Sequoia Trees
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow giant sequoias in the accompanying table’s tabs:
-
- Foliage, cones, and seeds of giant sequoias
- Growing conditions for giant sequoia
- When to plant giant sequoia
- How to plant giant sequoia
- How to prune giant sequoia
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of giant sequoia
- Landscape uses of giant sequoia
- Pest and disease control for giant sequoia
Growing Giant Sequoia Trees
Single species of medium-growth, conical becoming broad, coniferous, evergreen tree, sometimes to 250 ft. (79 m) tall but seldom more than 100 ft. (30 m) tall in landscape use, with trunks to 37 ft. (11.3 m) in diameter but usually less than 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide, with shiny, cypresslike, gray green, lance-shaped needles, 1/2–3/4 in. (12–19 mm) long, with silvery undersides, and with thick, fibrous, red, fissured bark.
Giant Sequoia Planting and Care Guide
Flowering and Cones
Stemless, drooping, spikelike male cones and tiny, oval, green, stemmed, female cones, to 3 in. (75 mm) long, appear in spring, ripening in autumn, containing seed, and remaining on the tree for many seasons.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 2–9. Best in high-elevation, cold-winter climates with ample snowfall.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Average–low. 5.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun. Space 7–12 ft. (2.2–3.7 m) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist until established; drought tolerant therafter. Avoid fertilizing. Prune to remove dangling branches. Propagate by seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, groups, screens in alpine, meadow, turfgrass, woodland gardens. Shallow rooted. Pest resistant. Fungal disease susceptible.