It is hard to know for certain which is the biggest or widest tree on earth since according to estimates from Nature magazine there are about 3 trillion trees on our planet.
However, we do know that the Sequoia is the species that produces the tallest trees. So if you’re interested in learning more about these giants of wood, read on.
Sequoia: the tallest tree on the planet
Trees of this species are undoubtedly the tallest in the world as they can easily exceed 100 meters in height and also compete to be among the species with the largest trunk diameter, exceeding 5 meters.
Characteristics of the Sequoia tree (Sequoia sempervirens)
Location | This species is native to the east coast of the United States, it is most abundant in some forests in the state of California, but there are also forests of the tree in the state of Oregon. |
Height | It can reach 115. 61 meters. |
Diameter | Up to 8 meters. |
Leaves | Dark green in color, they are spiral-shaped, although they are also long and flattened. Their size varies between 15 and 25 mm. |
Branches | They are horizontal, although they may be slightly curved downward. |
Habitat | In general, sequoias grow in areas between 0 and 920 meters above sea level. Likewise, this species prefers mountainous areas with plenty of precipitation, i.e., the tree requires moist soils. Similarly, the tallest and oldest trees are found in valleys and ravines that are close to streams and are closer to the sea. Conversely, when trees grow farther from the sea, they tend to be smaller. |
Shelf life | Due to the high concentration of tannins in their wood, sequoias are insect-resistant trees. This explains the great longevity of this species, which in fact is known to exceed 2000 years of age. |
Conservation status (IUCN) | According to the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), the Sequoia is a vulnerable species. This means that in a few years it could become an endangered species as a result of the deterioration of its natural habitat. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of the specimens have been lost in recent decades due to excessive logging. |
Sequoia sempervirens is a conifer member of the Cupressaceae family; aromatic trees typical of warm and temperate climates.
The popular name for this species is Redwood or California Sequoia, but it should not be confused with the Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), as it is not really a sequoia and belongs to a different botanical family.
In addition, the giant sequoia is actually smaller than the sempervirens, rarely exceeding 85 meters in height (which is also a great height).
Also, this species is named after Sequoyah, chief of the Cherokee tribe.
Sequoias are also the habitat of animals such as birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
General information about the wood of Sequoia sempervirens
The wood of Sequoia sempervirens is known to be of very good quality, although it is also quite expensive. Its supply is not sufficient to meet the demand since the tree can take between 20 and 30 years to reach maturity.
It is also not easy to obtain outside the United States.
Color
Heartwood (mature, harvestable wood)
Reddish brown.
Sapwood (young wood, hardly ever harvestable)
Pale yellow.
Fiber
Fine (remember that straight grain in wood makes it easier to handle).
Density
Sequoia has a density between 400 and 420 kg/m3, which makes it light wood.
Hardness
According to the Janka scale, Sequoia has a score of 450 pounds of strength or 2000 Newtons. In other words, it is a semi-hard wood and therefore suitable for construction use. It is resistant to shocks and mechanical forces but is also malleable.
Durability
Sequoia sempervirens is a very resistant wood; it withstands the elements very well.
It is also highly resistant to fungi, insects, and humidity, and it is known that the older the tree, the better its wood is.
Workability
In general terms, sequoia wood is easy to work, both with hand tools and mechanical tools.
However, remember that it is a soft wood and so it is better to use a drill in the irregular areas or else it may crack.
On the other hand, it gives very good finishes, i.e. it absorbs varnishes and paints so it is easy to leave it looking very good.
Note: Sequoia is a very stable wood which means that it doesn’t change dimensions according to the season. This is an extremely useful feature because it makes drying much easier.
Allergic reactions
While allergic reactions to this wood are rare, sequoia has been reported to be a sensitizer. This means that this wood can trigger an allergic reaction if you come into contact with its fibers.
But that’s not all, once you have developed an allergy to the wood, the reaction becomes worse every time you come in contact with it, even leading to severe allergies.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to wear gloves every time you work with this wood.
Applications
Sequoia wood is mainly used in:
- Plywood manufacturing.
- Interior carpentry (manufacture of window frames, doors).
- Floor manufacturing.
- Structural construction (there are some old houses whose beams are made with Secuoya wood).
- Light pole manufacturing.
- Handicrafts manufacturing.
- Outdoor furniture manufacturing.
- Carving.
Hyperion: the tallest tree in the world
Height
115.85 meters.
General description
Hyperion is the name given to the tallest Sequoia sempervirens, i.e. the tallest tree on the planet.
We are sorry to disappoint you in case you are a fan of trees and their beauty, but we are not telling you the exact location of the tree.
Because first, we don’t know, and second, keeping its location secret is the only way to protect it from the hands of vandals and idiots.
All we do know is that the tree is located in the Redwood National Park, a natural area relatively close to the city of San Francisco in the United States.
Interestingly, if you ever get the chance to go to the park, you might see Hyperion, but you won’t know it’s him as there’s no sign or any kind of identification.
Also, it is virtually impossible for you to tell which tree it is; at a glance, all the sequoias look more or less the same.
Age
600 years old.
However, Hyperion is not the only giant specimen in the park, it has “2 younger siblings”.
Helios measures 114 meters and Icarus 113 meters.
And this is important because as their heights are practically equal, the camouflage of the trees is almost perfect.
Note: it seems that the Sequoia sempervirens never stop growing in height and diameter, that is, they get bigger and bigger.