Sequoiadendron giganteum
Common name: Giant sequoia, giant redwood, Sierra redwood
Sequoiadendron giganteum is a redwood and is the biggest tree by mass on earth. It is native to Northern California. Legend has it that the tree was named after the Cherokee Chief Sequoyah, but new research shows that the name probably comes from a Latin word. Fire helps the trees thrive.
In the summer of 2020, one of the trees was hit by lightning, which resulted in a long gash along its lower trunk. A year later, the inside of the grove was quite brown, although the exterior branches of trees facing the sun were still green. According to Garden staff, the inner trees don’t have enough light. Tree specialists have said the trees will act as a group and will sacrifice or support the most useful individuals.
More about Sequoiadendron.
Grove photo, 2009, by Midge Oke
Damaged tree photo, 2020, by Hughie Jones
Young tree photo, date unknown, by Roy Forster in the City of Vancouver Archives