7 Facts about the General Sherman Tree in California

1. General Sherman is a Giant Sequoia tree.

   Giant Sequoia trees are native to California and are the largest trees on earth in terms of circumference and volume. (Redwood trees, also native to California, are taller trees, but don't have as much volume as Giant Sequoia trees.) The botanical name of the Giant Sequoia is Sequoiadendron giganteum.

2. General Sherman is the largest tree on Earth by volume.

   The General Sherman tree is nearly 275 feet tall and has a circumference of over 100 feet. It's estimated to weigh over 2.5 million pounds! While there are taller and wider trees out there, none can match the impressive combination of weight and width of the General Sherman tree. This giant’s impressive size is a combination of its species and its age; estimated to be over 2,000 years old. California's second state tree, the bristlecone pine, is also a tree that is considered to be very old. It's estimated that the oldest tree on earth is a bristlecone pine living in the White Mountains of California.

3. The General Sherman Tree drinks a lot!

   In the summer, the General Sherman Tree is estimated to use between 500 and 800 gallons of water every day. That's a lot of water—enough to fill over fifteen bathtubs! Due to its massive size, the General Sherman tree is more vulnerable to drought. To combat this, giant sequoias protect themselves by closing tiny pores in their leaves and producing tougher, more resilient foliage. They may also shed more leaves, helping them require less water overall.

4. The tree is named for William Tecumseh Sherman.

   General Sherman was a prominent general in the Union Army during the Civil War, known for his strategic military tactics and leadership. His bold and sometimes controversial methods made him a key figure in American history. Interestingly, other giant sequoia trees are also named after American Civil War generals. Early explorers and park rangers who discovered these magnificent trees were often veterans themselves, and they chose to honor their military generals in this way.
   
   

5. The General Sherman Tree is located in Sequoia National Park.

   Sequoia National Park is located in California, where you can hike to visit General Sherman in the Giant Forest. This park is home to other giant sequoias that definitely give General Sherman some stiff competition for the title of the largest tree on Earth! With its rugged mountains, lush meadows, and crystal-clear waters, it's a great place to snap a selfie!

6. Firefighters worked to protect the General Sherman Tree in 2021.

   In 2021, a wildfire was nearing the Giant Forest, so firefighters had to take swift action to protected the General Sherman tree. They wrapped the base of the Sherman Tree's trunk with protective aluminum foil, creating a barrier to prevent the flames from reaching its bark. The aluminum foil acts as a heat shield, reflecting intense heat away from the tree and helping to ensure its survival. Unfortunately, many other large sequoias were destroyed during the fire.
   
   

7. In May 2024, researchers climbed the General Sherman Tree for the very first time.

   Researchers that strive to protect these giant trees decided that they needed to conduct an overall health inspection of the General Sherman Tree for the first time. As part of their investigation, they carefully examining it's trunk, branches, and foliage. Using climbing ropes, they climbed an astonished 275 feet to General Sherman's upper crown for the very first time! They also investigated to see if dangerous sequoia bark beetles were present. The results were good! The researchers determined that the Sherman Tree is a very healthy, strong tree, and that the bark beetles were not causing significant damage.