General Sherman: The World's Largest Living Tree

A Natural Wonder

General Sherman, a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in Sequoia National Park, California, holds the title of the largest known single-stem tree by volume on Earth.

Vital Statistics

• Height: 275 feet (83.8 m)
• Trunk volume: 52,500 cubic feet (1,487 m³) — 2002 measurement
• Age: Estimated 2,300–2,700 years
• Location: Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park

History

Named in 1879 by naturalist James Wolverton (who served under General William Tecumseh Sherman), it was confirmed as the largest tree in 1931 after comparison with the nearby General Grant tree.

Why You Can't Buy One

Giant sequoias require specific high-elevation Sierra Nevada conditions and centuries to reach maturity. No nursery sells specimens of this scale. For landscaping, choose younger, adaptable species suited to your climate.

Conservation Note

These ancient giants are protected icons. Visiting them offers perspective on nature's grandeur—and our brief place in its timeline.