General Sherman- The largest tree

KarlH's picture

Location

California
United States
36° 34' 54.156" N, 118° 45' 5.22" W
US
General info: 

The General Sherman is the largest tree in the world. It is not the tallest, oldest or widest but it is the largest tree by volume. General Sherman is both tall and large in diameter and, in particular, holds a large diameter high up the trunk. This is what results in biggest wood volume in the world.

Despite not breaking the record in other features, it is still among the tallest, widest and longest-lived of all trees on the planet. The tree is 2,300–2,700 years old with a height of 83.8 metres (275 ft), a diameter of 7.7 metres (25 ft) and an estimated bole volume of 1,487 cubic metres.

While the General Sherman is the largest currently living tree, it is not the largest tree known to humans. The Crannell Creek Giant, a coast redwood near Trinidad, California, is estimated to have been 15 to 25% larger than the General Sherman tree by volume. The tree was cut down in the mid-1940s.

Getting there: 

The General Sherman is located in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California. You can access the park from both sides of the mountains by car but to see the tree, you must choose the western side. Inside the park you can either use the freee shuttle bus to get to the tree or you can drive to the parking lot ½ mile from the tree. The trail from the parking lot to the tree goes downhill and has some stairs. Handicapped parking also available closer to the tree.

Costs: 

Entrance fees:
Vehicle Pass - valid 1 through 7 Day(s) - $20
Individual Entry Pass (by foot, bicycle, motorcycle) - valid 1 through 7 Day(s) - $10

Interesting places nearby

Boreal, conveniently located on Interstate 80 in Northern California’s Lake Tahoe Region, is a mountain that has a strong following of jibbers and freestyle skiers and riders alike. Boreal is open from 9 a.m.

BASE: 9200ft
SUMMIT: 11500ft
VERTICAL DROP: 2300ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 6
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 4
Surface: 2

Badger Pass dubs itself the original ski resort in Northern California. Since it’s opening in 1935, Badger Pass has been a family favorite ski resort, with a variety of guest services offered in a stress free environment.

Located in Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains, Bear Mountain offers a 200-acre winter playground to skiers and snowboarders.

Bear Valley, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Northern California, offers a ski and snowboard area that caters to snow sports fanatics of all ages and ability levels.

Alpine Meadows is located on the Northwest shore of Lake Tahoe in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.