Tree Plaques in the Park
Key Identifying Characteristics
Giant tree with massive trunk and spreading downswept branches that turn up at the ends.
Height / Size
35 – 311 feet tall.
Leaves or Needles
Scale leaves are bluish green and spreading when young, clasping and dark green when mature.
Bark / Trunk
Thick fibrous bark, red brown in color with deep ridges up to 3 feet thick. Trunk can be 30-40’ feet in diameter.
Flower
Flowers are small cones; male are small 2-3cm long, egg shaped. Female cones are green becoming woody and brown as they mature. Pollen is released in April to May.
Fruit / Seed / Cone
Woody cone is 1 1/2 to 3 inches long. Seed cone matures in 18-20 months but often remains green and closed up for years on the tree.
Habitat
Mixed conifer forest with deep rich soil.
Location / Range
Western Sierra Nevada at elevations from 4600 – 8400 feet.
Lifespan
Long lived, the oldest tree is estimated to be 3500 years.
Native / Non-Native
Native
Fascinating / Fun Facts
The sequoia trees in San Pedro Valley Park were intentionally planted. No one knows who planted the large tree, or when. The younger trees were planted by park staff.
Sources:
Jepson eFlora
Calscape
Lanner, Ronald M. 1999. Conifers of California. Cachuma Press (1st. ed.). Los Olivos, California