Giant Sequoia. Wide-angle view along the trunk of 'General Sherman', officially the largest Giant Sequoia tree. The Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is the largest living thing in the World. 'General Sherman' is 82.9 metres tall, has a spread of 27.5 metres and a girth of 25.6 metres. Giant Sequoias grow at altitudes of 1400- 2400 metres, and are native to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Thought to live for up to 4000 years, the larger specimens weigh over 1000 tonnes. Specimens of S.giganteum have been introduced to the UK, where they are known as 'Wellingtonia'. Photographed in the Sequoia National Park, California.