The main difference between redwoods and sequoias

Redwoods and sequoias are both among the largest trees on Earth, but they are different species that grow in different places and have distinct characteristics. Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are the tallest trees in the world, reaching heights over 370 feet. Giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are not as tall but are much wider and heavier, making them the largest trees by volume. Coast redwoods grow along the California coast in a narrow strip of fog-covered land. Giant sequoias grow only in the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California, at higher elevations where snow is common.

Both trees are conifers that live for thousands of years, but they thrive in completely different environments. Understanding where each grows and what conditions they need helps explain why you will only find one species or the other in any given location, never both in the same forest.

Key Takeaways

  • Coast redwoods are the world's tallest trees, growing only in the foggy coastal regions of northern California, Oregon, and southern Oregon.
  • Giant sequoias are the largest trees by volume and grow only in the Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet.
  • Redwoods depend on coastal fog for water and can live 2,000 years or longer, while sequoias rely on snowmelt and can live over 3,000 years.
  • Both species are conifers with fibrous, fire-resistant bark, but redwood bark is thinner and sequoia bark can be over two feet thick.

Height, width, and volume: how they measure up

Coast redwoods hold the record for height. The tallest known redwood, Hyperion, stands 379.7 feet tall—taller than the Statue of Liberty. Redwoods typically grow 300 to 370 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet in diameter. Their trunks are relatively narrow compared to their extreme height, which allows them to reach so high without becoming unstable.

Giant sequoias are shorter but far more massive. The largest sequoia by volume is General Sherman, which contains approximately 52,500 cubic feet of wood. A typical large sequoia grows 200 to 280 feet tall but 20 to 30 feet in diameter, creating a much thicker trunk. The difference is striking: if you stood a redwood and a sequoia side by side, the redwood would tower above it, but the sequoia would dwarf it in width and overall mass.

Where redwoods and sequoias grow

Coast redwoods grow in a narrow band along the Pacific coast from southern Oregon through northern California, roughly 450 miles long but only 5 to 30 miles wide. They need the specific climate that coastal fog provides: moisture in the air during dry summers, mild winters, and protection from extreme temperature swings. Most old-growth redwood forests are now protected in state and national parks, though some remain on private land.

Giant sequoias are found only in about 70 groves scattered across the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, between the Kern River in the south and the American River in the north. They grow at elevations of 5,000 to 7,000 feet, where winter snow provides water and the granite soil drains well. Sequoia National Park protects the largest groves, including General Sherman and the General Grant Grove.

How water and climate shape each species

Coast redwoods have adapted to a wet climate with a dry season. They absorb water through their roots from the soil, but they also capture water directly from fog through their needles and bark. This fog drip—water that condenses on the tree and drips to the ground—can provide 30 to 40 percent of the water a redwood needs each year. Without coastal fog, redwoods cannot survive, which is why they are confined to the coast and cannot grow inland.

Giant sequoias depend on snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada. They have deep root systems that tap into groundwater and snowmelt that flows through the granite soil. Sequoias are adapted to a climate with cold, snowy winters and dry summers. They can survive in drier conditions than redwoods because their massive size allows them to store water in their wood and their thick bark protects them from moisture loss.

Bark, fire resistance, and longevity

Both redwoods and sequoias have bark that is fibrous, soft, and rich in tannins—compounds that resist decay and fire. Redwood bark is typically 6 to 12 inches thick and reddish-brown. Sequoia bark can be 1 to 2 feet thick and is more fibrous and spongy, which makes it even more fire-resistant. Neither tree produces much flammable resin, unlike many other conifers, so they burn slowly and survive fires that kill other species.

Coast redwoods typically live 1,500 to 2,500 years, with some individuals confirmed to be over 2,000 years old. Giant sequoias live even longer—some are over 3,000 years old, making them among the oldest living things on Earth. Both species grow slowly after reaching maturity, adding only a few inches of wood per year, which contributes to their extreme longevity. Their thick bark and fire resistance mean they can survive centuries of wildfires and still continue growing.

Reproduction and growth patterns

Coast redwoods reproduce in two ways: from seeds and from sprouts that grow from the base or roots of fallen trees. Redwood seeds are tiny—about 1/8 inch long—and are produced in small cones. Many redwoods you see today are actually sprouts from ancient trees that were logged or fell naturally. A clone of an original tree grows faster than a seedling and can reach full height in 500 to 700 years instead of 1,000 years.

Giant sequoias reproduce only from seeds, not from sprouts. Their seeds are also small, about 1/8 inch long, and are held in cones that can remain closed on the tree for 20 years or more. Sequoia seeds often germinate only after a fire opens the cones and clears competing vegetation. This means sequoia groves depend on periodic fire to regenerate, and fire suppression over the past century has reduced the number of young sequoias in many groves.

Conservation status and human impact

Both species were heavily logged in the 1800s and early 1900s. Redwoods were prized for their straight grain and rot-resistant wood, and about 95 percent of old-growth redwood forest was cut down. Giant sequoias were also logged, though their wood is brittle and many fell and shattered during felling, making logging less profitable. Today, most remaining old-growth redwoods and sequoias are protected in state and national parks.

Coast redwoods face threats from climate change, logging on private land, and development. Giant sequoias face threats from fire suppression, which prevents natural regeneration, and from severe wildfires that have increased in frequency and intensity. Both species are also vulnerable to drought, which reduces the water available to them. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining groves, restoring fire to sequoia forests, and managing logging on private redwood land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can redwoods and sequoias grow in the same place?

No. Redwoods need coastal fog and cannot survive at the elevation and climate where sequoias grow. Sequoias cannot survive the coastal climate or the lower elevations where redwoods thrive. Their ranges do not overlap, and each species is adapted to its specific environment.

Which tree is actually bigger?

It depends on how you measure. Redwoods are taller—the tallest redwood is about 100 feet taller than the tallest sequoia. Sequoias are larger by volume and weight—General Sherman contains more wood than any redwood. By height, redwoods win; by size and mass, sequoias win.

How long do these trees actually live?

Coast redwoods typically live 1,500 to 2,500 years, with some over 2,000 years old. Giant sequoias live longer, with some confirmed to be over 3,000 years old. Both are among the longest-living organisms on Earth.

Why do sequoias need fire to reproduce?

Sequoia cones remain closed and sealed on the tree for many years. Heat from fire opens the cones and releases seeds. Fire also clears competing vegetation and creates bare soil where seedlings can take root. Without periodic fire, sequoia groves age without producing new trees.

Are these trees still being cut down?

Most old-growth redwoods and sequoias are now protected in parks and reserves. Some logging still occurs on private redwood land in California. Giant sequoias are rarely logged today because their wood is brittle and the trees are protected by law in most locations.