Editing Sequoiadendron giganteum (section)

==Description==
Giant sequoia specimens are the most massive individual trees in the world.<ref name=usda/> They grow to an average height of {{convert|50|–|85|m|ft|abbr=on}} with trunk diameters ranging from {{convert|6|–|8|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Record trees have been measured at {{convert|94.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall. Trunk diameters of {{convert|17|m|ft|abbr=on}} have been claimed via research figures taken out of context.<ref name="Flint 2002">{{Harvnb|Flint|2002}}</ref> The specimen known to have the greatest [[diameter at breast height]] is the [[General Grant Tree]] at {{convert|8.8|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Flint|first=Wendell D.|title=To Find the Biggest Tree|publisher=Sequoia National Forest Association|year=1987|page=94}}</ref> Between 2014 and 2016, it is claimed that specimens of [[Sequoia sempervirens|coast redwood]] were found to have greater trunk diameters than all known giant sequoias – though this has not been independently verified or affirmed in any academic literature.<ref name="mdvaden.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mdvaden.com/redwood_year_discovery.shtml|title=Coast Redwood Discovery. Sequoia sempervirens|first=M.D.|last=Vaden|access-date=2016-05-18|archive-date=2014-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219084820/http://www.mdvaden.com/redwood_year_discovery.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The trunks of coast redwoods taper at lower heights than those of giant sequoias which have more columnar trunks that maintain larger diameters to greater heights.

The oldest known giant sequoia is 3,200–3,266 years old based on [[dendrochronology]].<ref>{{cite conference|first=H. Thomas|last=Harvey|url=https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr095/psw_gtr095_harvey.pdf|title=Evolution and History of Giant Sequoia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416024255/https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr095/psw_gtr095_harvey.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-16|conference=Workshop on Management of Giant Sequoia|date=May 24–25, 1985|location=Reedley, California|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/sequoia-research.htm|title=Sequoia Research|last=Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|website=www.nps.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05|archive-date=2015-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304185239/https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/sequoia-research.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> That tree has been verified to have the fourth-largest lifespan of any tree, after individuals of [[Pinus longaeva|Great Basin bristlecone pine]] and [[Fitzroya cupressoides|alerce]].<ref name="RMTRR">{{cite web |url=http://www.rmtrr.org/oldlist.htm |title=OldList, A Database Of Old Trees |work=Rocky Mountain Tree-Ring Research |date=May 2019 |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412091010/http://www.rmtrr.org/oldlist.htm |archive-date=12 April 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Giant sequoia bark is fibrous, furrowed, and may be {{convert|90|cm|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} thick at the base of the columnar trunk. The sap contains [[tannic acid]], which provides significant protection from fire damage.<ref>{{cite book |last=Peattie |first=Donald Culross |author-link=Donald C. Peattie |title=A Natural History of Western Trees |year=1953 |publisher=[[Bonanza Books]] |location=New York |page=10}}</ref> The leaves are [[evergreen]], awl-shaped, {{convert|3|-|6|mm|frac=16|abbr=on}} long, and arranged spirally on the shoots.
[[File:Sequoiadendron giganteum MHNT.BOT.2004.0.191 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Mature cones and seed]]

The giant sequoia regenerates by [[seed]]. The seed [[Conifer cone|cones]] are {{convert|4|-|7|cm|frac=2|abbr=on}} long and mature in 18–20 months, though they typically remain green and closed for as long as 20 years. Each cone has 30–50 spirally arranged scales, with several seeds on each scale, giving an average of 230 seeds per cone. Seeds are dark brown, {{convert|4|-|5|mm|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} long, and {{convert|1|mm|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} broad, with a {{convert|1|mm|adj=on|sp=us|sigfig=1}} wide, yellow-brown wing along each side. Some seeds shed when the cone scales shrink during hot weather in late summer, but most are liberated by insect damage or when the cone dries from the heat of fire. The trees do not begin to bear cones until they are 12 years old.

Trees may produce sprouts from their stumps subsequent to injury, until about 20 years old; however, shoots do not form on the stumps of more mature trees as they do on coast redwoods. Giant sequoias of all ages may sprout from their [[Trunk (botany)|bole]]s when branches are lost to fire or breakage.

A large tree may have as many as 11,000 cones. Cone production is greatest in the upper portion of the canopy. A mature giant sequoia disperses an estimated 300,000–400,000 seeds annually. The winged seeds may fly as far as {{convert|180|m|ft|abbr=on}} from the parent tree.

Lower branches die readily from being shaded, but trees younger than 100 years retain most of their dead branches. Trunks of mature trees in groves are generally free of branches to a height of {{convert|20|-|50|m|abbr=on|-1}}, but solitary trees retain lower branches.
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