Sequoiadendron giganteum (Giant Sequoia)
Plant community: Montane coniferous forests
Native status: Native to California
Mature size (height & width):
Height: 60 – 275 ft
Width: 25 – 60 ft
Habitat/ Tolerances
Heat intolerant
Intolerant of dry soils
Drought intolerant
Eco-indicator:
Hardiness zone: 6-8
Leaf color: Blue-green needles
Flower color / bloom time: Non-flowering
Response to Climate Change:
Unfortunately California’s giant Sequoias are under threat if climate warming continues as projected, tens of thousands of these ancient trees will be at risk in the coming century from destruction by drought and increasing temperatures. Mature sequoias and their seedlings depend on deep groundwater from the Sierra Nevada snowpack to get them through California’s extremely dry summers. Unfortunately, due to rising temperatures most of this precipitation is arriving in the form of rain rather than snow which means less water for the sequoias and their seedlings during the dry seasons.
Migration to higher elevation
Climate adaption rank: -5
Sources:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/giant_sequoias_face_looming_threat_from_shifting_climate
https://www.tentree.com/blogs/posts/15-incredible-facts-about-giant-sequoia-trees
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287324
