When it comes to sheer volume, no tree on Earth can match the General Sherman tree.
This colossus of the arboreal world, found in California’s Sequoia National Park, stands almost 84 metres tall, is estimated to be around 2,200 years old and weighs well over a million kilograms.
Amazing facts about the General Sherman tree
How tall is the General Sherman tree?
The General Sherman tree is 83.8 metres (275 feet) tall. To put that into perspective, it’s almost twice the height of the Statue of Liberty in New York – the copper statue measures 46.05 metres from base to torch.
How heavy is the General Sherman tree?
Needless to say, the General Sherman tree is pretty heavy. The US National Park Service quotes a figure of around 1,270,000 kilograms (2,799,870 pounds) for the trunk alone – that’s roughly the equivalent weight of 7 adult blue whales, which can weigh up to 180,000 kilograms (396,832 pounds).
The Visit Sequoia website suggests a slightly lighter weight of around 1,224,699 kilograms (2,700,000 pounds).
How wide is the General Sherman tree?
According to the National Park Service, the General Sherman tree has a diameter of 11.1 metres (36.5 feet) at the base. The largest branch has a diameter of 2.2 metres (6.8 feet).
How old is the General Sherman tree?
A recent estimate puts the General Sherman tree at about 2,200 years old, though other estimates suggest it may be even older. Either way, the tree emerged from the ground before the start of the Roman Empire, which began in 27 BC.
What species of tree is it?
The General Sherman tree is a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), a towering evergreen tree species with reddish-brown bark.
Where is the General Sherman tree?
The General Sherman tree is one of many enormous trees found in the Giant Forest – a grove of giant sequoias located in Sequoia National Park, California, USA.
A matter of size
The General Sherman tree is the largest living tree on the planet when it comes to volume. However, it isn’t the tallest tree, nor is it the widest or the oldest.
In pictures: General Sherman tree
Top image: General Sherman tree, Sequoia National Forest. Credit: Getty
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