The world’s largest tree by volume is a giant sequoia named General Sherman, located in California’s Sequoia National Park. This massive tree stands about 275 feet (83.8 meters) tall, with a diameter of 25 feet (7.7 meters) at its base. Its total volume is estimated to be around 52,500 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters), making it the largest single-stem tree in the world.
General Sherman is estimated to be between 2,200 and 2,700 years old, making it ancient as well as gigantic. Although it isn’t the tallest or the widest tree, its sheer volume (combination of height and width) is unmatched. Giant sequoias like General Sherman are known for their longevity and resistance to fire, pests, and decay, contributing to their immense size and longevity.
- Largest by Volume: General Sherman holds the title for the largest tree in the world by volume, with an estimated 52,500 cubic feet of wood.
- Incredible Weight: The tree weighs roughly 1,385 tons (around 2.7 million pounds)—equivalent to about 15 blue whales!
- Older than Rome: General Sherman is around 2,200 to 2,700 years old, meaning it sprouted around the time when Rome was becoming a powerful republic.
- Still Growing: Despite its ancient age, General Sherman is still growing! Every year, it adds enough wood to make a 60-foot-tall tree of normal size.
- Huge Branches: Some of General Sherman’s branches are as big as regular trees. Its largest branch is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) in diameter.
- Sequoia Adaptability: Giant sequoias like General Sherman have adapted to survive wildfires. Their thick bark, which can be over 3 feet (91 cm) thick, helps protect them from fire and pests.
- Named After a General: The tree was named after the American Civil War General William Tecumseh Shermanby naturalist James Wolverton, who served under Sherman during the war.
- Impressive Crown: Even though General Sherman lost a large branch in a storm in 2006, it still has an immense crown, with its foliage starting about 130 feet off the ground.
- Roots Don’t Go Deep: Surprisingly, despite its enormous size, the tree’s roots only go about 6 to 12 feet deep, but they spread out over a wide area—sometimes more than 200 feet from the trunk.
- Tourist Magnet: General Sherman attracts thousands of visitors from around the world each year, making it one of Sequoia National Park’s most famous natural landmarks.
In the heart of Sequoia National Park, General Sherman stands as a living testament to the resilience and grandeur of nature. Towering over the forest floor, this ancient giant has withstood the test of time, weathering centuries of change while continuing to grow. Its immense size and age inspire awe in visitors from around the world, reminding us of the remarkable beauty and power of the natural world. As the largest tree on Earth by volume, General Sherman is not just a symbol of strength and endurance, but a glimpse into the rich history of our planet, stretching back thousands of years.
If you are visiting General Sherman, you might want this Sequoia National Park T-Shirt.