Sierra Redwood or Giant Sequoia

The “Big Tree” of California is not quite the tallest, the stoutest or the oldest tree in the world but the combination of its height and bole diameter makes it the biggest.

As a young tree it develops a densely branched conical habit. On older trees the branches are more widely spaced and conspicuously down-swept. It is a tree for parks and estates.

This coniferous tree has rough foliage and sharp- pointed scale like leaves. It is regarded as one of the oldest living things in the world. The oldest authenticated age of a felled tree is about 3200 years, whilst several standing trees appear to be about 1500-2000 years old.