Sequoia Tree Wildlife Set 17" tall The giant sequoias, or redwoods, only grow in a few spots in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Some trees have been growing there for 3,000 years. The oldest "bigtrees" are taller than a 20-story building. If you held hands with your friends, it would take 30 of you to go all the way around the trunk. Many animals and birds make their homes and find their food in the sequoias. The red squirrel is very fond of bigtree cones and seeds. Up in the tree, you might hear noisy jays squawking at each other, or the woo, woo, woo of a spotted owl perched on a branch.