The General Sherman Tree
Largst Living Thing on Earth
The General Sherman Tree stands as the
ultimate example of the growth potential of a
giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum).
Other types of trees are taller, or thicker at the
base, but no other living thing on this planet
exceeds the volume of this giant sequoia. The General Sherman Tree owes
its immense size not to great age (many other sequoias are older) but
rather to its very rapid growth rate. For over two thousand years this tree
has survived numerous fires, climatic change and even the coming of modern
man. Today it remains not only the world's largest living thing, but also one
of the fastest growing.
| Estimated Age | 2300-2700 Years |
| Estimated Weight of Trunk | 1385 t. (1256 m.t.) |
| Height Above Base | 274.9 ft. (83.8 m.) |
| Circumferance at Ground | 102.6 ft. (31.3 m.) |
| Maximum Diameter at Base | 36.5 ft. (11.1 m.) |
| Diameter 60 ft. Above Ground | 17.5 ft. (5.3 m.) |
| Diameter 180 ft. Above Ground | 14.0 ft. (4.3 m.) |
| Diameter of Largest Branch | 6.8 ft. (2.1 m.) |
| Height of First Large Branch | 130.0 ft. (39.6 m.) |
| Volume of Trunk | 52,500 cu. ft. (1,486.6 cu. m.) |
This sign is found along a route which has been photographed for inclusion in
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is on, click on its image.