Biggest Trees in the World: The world’s largest trees can be interpreted in a couple of ways. If we’re talking about pure volume, or the amount of wood a tree contains, then the top 10 biggest trees are all giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) from California, with the undisputed king being:
List of Top 10 Largest Trees in the World
Rank | Name | Species | Estimated Volume (m³) | Location |
1 | General Sherman | Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) | 52,508 | Sequoia National Park, California, USA |
2 | General Grant | Giant Sequoia | 46,608 | Kings Canyon National Park, California, USA |
3 | Nelson | Giant Sequoia | 45070 | Kings Canyon National Park, California, USA |
4 | Washington | Giant Sequoia | 43903 | Sequoia National Park, California, USA |
5 | Founders Grove | Giant Sequoia | 43066 | Sequoia National Park, California, USA |
6 | The President | Giant Sequoia | 42909 | Sequoia National Park, California, USA |
7 | Boole’s Tree | Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) | 42085 | Redwood National and State Parks, California, USA |
8 | Stagg’s Lair | Coast Redwood | 41572 | Redwood National and State Parks, California, USA |
9 | Cardinal | Giant Sequoia | 41379 | Sequoia National Park, California, USA |
10 | Methuselah | Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) | 41168 | White Mountains, California, USA |
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General Sherman Tree – California
Located in Sequoia National Park, this behemoth boasts a staggering volume of 52,508 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters). Imagine a house with 18 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and a 3-car garage – the General Sherman Tree has more wood than that, making it one of the biggest trees in the world.
But if we’re talking about the most massive trunks, then the giant sequoia’s crown is challenged by the mighty baobab (Adansonia digitata). These African trees have incredible girth, with the titleholder being:
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Arbol del Tule (Tree of Tule) – Mexico
Standing in Santa MarÃa del Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico, this gnarled giant has a trunk circumference of an astonishing 116.4 feet (35.4 meters) and it is also one of the widest trees in the world. That’s wider than two London buses parked side-by-side!
Now, let’s get back to the overall biggest trees by volume, and meet the rest of the top 10:
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General Grant Tree – California
Another resident of Sequoia National Park, this majestic giant comes in second with a volume of 46,608 cubic feet (1,320 cubic meters), listing it as the world’s tallest trees.
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Nelson Big Tree – California
Being one of the biggest trees on the earth and found in Kings Canyon National Park, California, this grand sequoia holds the title of fourth biggest with 45,070 cubic feet (1,274 cubic meters).
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Washington Tree – Washington
Yet another Sequoia National Park resident, the Washington Tree rounds out the top five with a volume of 43,600 cubic feet (1,238 cubic meters), being the largest tree in the world.
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Founders Tree – Arizona
Located in General Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park, this sequoia giant boasts a volume of 42,581 cubic feet (1,209 cubic meters), making it one of the largest trees on the earth.
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Fallen Monarch – California
Sadly, this Sequoia National Park giant succumbed to natural causes in 1968, but its immense fallen trunk still holds a volume of 41,776 cubic feet (1,185 cubic meters), being tagged as the largest tree on the earth.
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Hazen Tree – San Francisco
Listed as one of the largest trees in the world, this Kings Canyon National Park resident is still standing strong, with a volume of 41,072 cubic feet (1,162 cubic meters).
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Boole Tree: Nevada
Another resident of Kings Canyon National Park, the Boole Tree holds its own with a volume of 40,669 cubic feet (1,156 cubic meters).
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McKinley Tree: Arizona
Rounding out the top 10 biggest tree in the world is the McKinley Tree, also from Kings Canyon National Park, with a volume of 40,437 cubic feet (1,150 cubic meters).
These incredible trees are true giants of the plant kingdom, and they stand as a testament to the beauty and power of nature of being oldest, tallest, and biggest trees in the world. So next time you’re looking for something to inspire awe, go find a big tree and look up!
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