The Crown As soon as a young giant sequoia has an adequate year-round supply of moisture and sunlight it begins to grow quite rapidly. Under optimal conditions its main stem leads the way upward, and the tree becomes conical in shape. Eventually, however, sexual maturity is achieved and thereafter the crown of the tree gradually loses its sharply spired appearance and takes on a more rounded, dome shape. The crown of a mature giant sequoia takes on a gracefully rounded look with great cloud like billows of greenery that stand in marked contrast to the more pointed tops of other conifers around it. The top of the crown becomes more and more rounded as great age and great height combine to inhibit further growth upward.
Massive branches are also typical of the old veterans.
Natural pruning may eventually result in main trunks that are branchless for one hundred to one hundred fifty feet above the ground. Above that level the older trees may keep one or more branches that come horizontally out of the main trunk and then turn upward, reaching another one hundred to one hundred fifty feet into the sunlight. Many old giant sequoias are snag-topped in appearance. That is, they have dead wood at the top of their crowns, indicating that they have been taller and then died back somewhat even though they otherwise appear to be healthy and robust. The largest single cause of snag-tops is fire damage.