How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Giant Sequoia Trees

If you want to grow the largest tree in the world, you can plant your own Giant Sequoia in USDA zones 6 through 8. These breathtaking giants are native to California, and their species has lived on Earth for millions of years. Only about 75 wild groves remain scattered along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in central California, where they once dominated the landscape until logging and more severe wildfires killed huge stands.

Still, these are some of the most fire-resistant and climate-resilient trees on the planet. Amazingly, these living fossils can grow up to 150 feet in just 50 years! They are cold and heat-tolerant, growing around the U.S. and the world as ornamentals and timber resources. You don’t need to live in California to grow a redwood, but you do need to ensure the proper spacing and conditions for this rapid-growing conifer to thrive.

Let’s dig into everything you need to know about growing your own gigantic redwood!

History and Cultivation 

When dinosaurs roamed the Earth about 70 to 180 million years ago, gigantic conifers ruled North America and Europe. Often called the redwoods, most Sequoia relatives have gone extinct, but two primary species remain: Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Another smaller relative, the Dawn Redwood, is widely cultivated and grows wild inChina.

While Coast Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, Giant Sequoias are the largest by volume. The largest known specimen is nicknamed “The General Sherman Tree,” and grows in Sequoia National Park near Mount Whitney in Central California. This tree is over 270 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter. Scientists estimate that it is about 3,800 years old!

Though you may not see its tremendous heights in your lifetime, planting a Giant Sequoia tree sapling in your landscape could yield 30-60 or more feet of growth in a few decades and up to 150 feet in 50 years.

What is It?

The Giant Sequoia tree—also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, or Sequoiadendron giganteum—is one of three remaining redwood species in the world. This coniferous tree grows 200-300 feet tall and about 10 to 20 feet in diameter, withstanding centuries of wildfires and climate changes.

Native to the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Central California, Giant Sequoias are the largest trees by volume and are now cultivated in many parts of the world as ornamental and timber species.

Where Do Giant Sequoia Trees Originate?

The last remaining native wild groves are the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. This species is specifically adapted to mild climates with humid winters and dry mild summers at elevations between 4,000 and 8,500 feet. 

However, there is evidence that ancestors of the Giant Sequoias were once widespread across the Northern Hemisphere. They are now cultivated around the world, including parts of the Pacific Northwest, Southern United States, South America, Europe, and Japan.

Propagation

Nursery-grown saplings are the quickest and easiest way to establish a Giant Sequoia, but you can also grow this tree from seeds or cuttings. The seeds can be collected from mature redwoods (70+ years old) in the fall, but they have very low germination rates. Cuttings are best taken from younger trees under 10 years old, so your decision between seed or cutting may depend on whether or not properly-aged trees grow in your area.

These nuances also explain why purchasing from a reputable nursery is ideal. The Jonsteen Company’s SequoiaTrees.com offers live tree seedlings for shipment. If you wish to grow an ornamental cultivar like ‘French Beauty’ or ‘Albospica,’ you may need to find a specialized landscaping nursery.

Seed

Propagating a redwood from seed is not for the faint of heart, but it can be incredibly rewarding. Seed propagation is a form of sexual reproduction, which means it enhances the genetic diversity of a species. 

Although Giant Sequoias grown from seed have a very low germination rate and take much longer to get established, this is a cheap or free way to grow lots of saplings at home. So if you want to start a mini reforestation effort on your land or in conjunction with neighboring properties, consider collecting redwood cones from beneath mature trees in the fall. You can also purchase seeds online.

Cutting

Cuttings are pieces of a tree’s stem that are rooted into new plants. This vegetative propagation effectively clones a mother tree. Cuttings are the fastest way to propagate your own trees, but they require plant material from young redwoods around 2-20 years old. 

Nursery Sapling

With the growing popularity of Giant Sequoias, saplings are now widely available in nurseries. Some have even been bred, hybridized, and grafted for specific ornamental uses. This conifer is remarkably versatile, thriving in both cold and hot climates around the world. This means that it should be relatively easy to locate a sapling of your desired size, shape, and variety.

When choosing nursery stock, remember to look for:

Planting

Planting a Sequoiadendron is similar to any perennial shrub or landscaping tree. Site selection and preparation are the most important parts of success.

How to Transplant 

The best time to plant is early spring or fall. Choose a full sun location for your Sequoiadendron where it won’t be shaded by any structures or neighboring trees. While you can grow them as windbreaks or privacy hedges, wider spacing is necessary for gigantic growth as a landscape specimen tree. Ensure at least 30-60 feet in every direction for this colossal redwood to reach its full glory.

Seedlings should be at least 6-10” tall before planting. Saplings can be transplanted at larger sizes.

Newly transplanted redwoods need a lot of water, but they should not be drowned or grown in soggy soil. Instead, consistently check the root zone for moisture, allowing it to almost dry out between irrigations. Much like tomatoes or pothos plants, sequoias prefer to be watered deeply and infrequently. Avoid frequent, shallow watering.

Spacing

If you want to grow Giant Sequoia trees as privacy screens or windbreaks, you can plant them as close as six to seven feet. However, giant singular specimens need at least 30-60 feet of space between each tree or nearby structure. 

While the saplings may look tiny in such a large radius, you will be glad you spaced it properly in the decades to come. You can always plant ferns, wild ginger, rhododendrons, and azaleas in nearby areas to thrive under the aging canopy of your gigantic redwood.

How to Grow

If a tree has lived on Earth for millions of years, it likely doesn’t need much human intervention to thrive. Unlike their Coast Redwood cousins, Giant Sequoias are remarkably versatile and resilient. They don’t mind the cold or the heat, and they can withstand more stress than their fog-loving relatives. However, if you want your tree to grow as fast as possible, keep these key growing conditions in mind:

Light

These ancient conifers are sun worshippers that thrive in full sunlight. They need 8-10 hours of direct sun per day in order to grow to their fullest potential. These forest giants cannot tolerate shade. Do not plant them in the shade of buildings or other trees.

Water

Giant Sequoias are very water-demanding trees. It’s not recommended to plant this tree in an area that experiences prolonged droughts. By some estimates, a mature 50+ year old tree can use 500-800 gallons of water every day in the summer. Most of us won’t have a tree this large for a while, but it’s still important to consider the water requirements of this tremendous species. The roots spread up to 100-200 feet underground in every direction and may spread wider if scrounging for moisture. 

However, overwatering is still the most common problem with Giant Sequoias! It is very important that the root zone can dry out between waterings. The soil can get almost bone-dry before watering again, similar to some houseplants like pothos or succulents. Deep, infrequent watering is better than shallow, frequent irrigation.

Always check the soil before watering, and do not create soggy or waterlogged conditions. In cold climates, you may need to protect the roots through the winter and reduce irrigation to prevent the roots from freezing solid, especially for container-grown trees.

While they are thirsty trees, Sequoiadendron giganteum can withstand drier conditions than its cousin, Sequoia sempervirens, and doesn’t require the extensive fog belt that Coast Redwoods need to thrive. Giant Sequoias are adapted to mountainous regions with somewhat dry summers where they get by on snowmelt and wet winters. Once a tree is mature, it can usually get by on the natural rainfall of your region, only requiring supplemental irrigation during prolonged droughts.

Soil

These stately conifers prefer rich, deep soils with a lot of organic matter and moisture. Sandy loams are ideal. However, they aren’t as picky as other redwoods. The pH in its natural range varies from 5.5 to 7.5, so amendment isn’t usually necessary. 

You can grow a Giant Sequoia in almost any soil in the United States as long as there isn’t standing water or extremely hard clay. If you are concerned about your native soil, see how nearby trees are performing before planting a new sapling. If other conifers are thriving, the sequoia will likely do just fine.

Climate and Temperature

Unlike other redwoods, Giant Sequoia trees can grow throughout most of the United States in zones 6-8. They are tolerant of frost and heat. There are reports of them growing well in colder northern zones, but they do not get nearly as large. The common temperature range in their wild range is 10-85°F (-12-29°C), but they can handle colder and hotter in some settings.

Fertilizing

Young redwoods appreciate an organic slow-release fertilizer to help them take off. Avoid anything with too much nitrogen or synthetic nutrients that could burn the seedling. A small dose of a mineral all-purpose blend or a scoop of compost will suffice.

Maintenance

These massive trees do not require much maintenance as long as you plant them in the right area. The colossal root systems of these iconic trees are known to lift and destroy house foundations. In Salem, Oregon, two of these trees have encroached on a century-old house, nearly taking out the basement and the sidewalk. 

When choosing a location, it’s important to remember that Giant Sequoia roots can spread 70-100+ feet underground. In the wild, you can often see the roots peaking up in fluted shapes above the ground. You don’t want these trees growing close to your home or any other structure. To be safe, locate the sapling as far from buildings as possible.

Varieties

Sequoiadendron giganteum comes in many unique cultivars for ornamental use.

Companion Plants

Mature Giant Sequoia forests shade out all but a few plants in their lower canopy. These majestic giants tend to create their own thick groves of redwoods. Choosing low-growing plants that thrive in similar conditions is the best way to ensure a beautiful, thriving forest garden.

Be sure companion plants are grown several feet from the base of your tree. Don’t grow large shrubs near saplings until the trees are at least 6-10 feet tall and basking in full sunlight.

Pests and Diseases

These ancient giants are almost completely pest-and-disease-free. They can even resist wildfire as long as the lower canopy is cleared and maintained. The most major threat is bark beetles. These beetles specifically target weakened trees.

Proper watering is the best way to prevent problems with fire or beetles. Drought stress can make trees more susceptible to both issues. Ensure sufficient supplemental water during the summer. If bark beetles infest your redwood, a heavy blast of water, branch removal, or permethrin spray may be necessary. 

Plant Uses

Giant Sequoias are an endangered species often used for ornamental landscapes. The species grows best as a large specimen but can be planted in groves for reforestation efforts or timber harvesting.

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