Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are two of the world’s most massive tree species. They are often confused for one another, but there are several key differences between these two iconic giants.
For starters, sequoias grow to be much taller than redwoods. The tallest recorded sequoia was nearly 277 feet tall, while the tallest redwood topped out at just under 115 feet. Sequoias also have larger trunks than redwoods – up to 30 feet in diameter compared to 20 feet for redwoods. Finally, sequoias live longer than redwoods; the oldest known sequoia was 3,500 years old when it was cut down in the 19th century, while the oldest known living redwood is around 2,200 years old.
Despite their different size and shape characteristics, both sequoias and redwoods share some common traits. They are both evergreen trees with needle-like leaves, and they both produce cones that contain their seeds. Perhaps most notably, both trees are among the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth!