The General Sherman Tree grows in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park, in California. It reaches about 275 feet, and its trunk holds roughly 52,500 cubic feet of wood, which ranks it first among living trees by volume. The base is about 36 feet across, and estimates put its age between 2,000 and 2,700 years. A paved trail leads down to it from the parking area, and the walk back up is the hardest part of the visit.
Size and age
The General Sherman Tree is about 275 feet tall, and its base measures close to 103 feet around at ground level. Its trunk holds an estimated 52,500 cubic feet of wood, which is why it ranks first by volume among living trees. The top of the tree is dead, while the base keeps adding wood, so the trunk continues to grow wider.
The tree was named after William Tecumseh Sherman, a Union Army general in the American Civil War. Its age is estimated rather than measured, and sources give a range from about 2,000 to 2,700 years. The President Tree, elsewhere in the forest, is estimated at about 3,200 years, which makes Sherman a middle-aged giant by comparison.
The roots are fragile, so a protective walkway keeps visitors back from the base. Photographs taken from farther away show the scale more clearly than close-ups do.
Getting to the trail
The main trail begins at a large parking area off Wolverton Road. The walk to the tree is about half a mile and runs downhill the whole way, so the return is uphill. A free in-park shuttle stops at the Lower Sherman Tree stop, the closest point to the tree. Shuttle service changes by season, so check the park's transit information before you go.
A short accessible route reaches the tree from Generals Highway. It is paved, though manual wheelchairs may need help on the steeper parts of the walk. Accessible parking is open all year for visitors who display a valid temporary parking tag. When the main lot fills, a shuttle runs from an overflow lot.
Walking the trail
The path is wide and paved, with steps in places. A halfway marker makes a good photo stop. Interpretive signs along the way explain the forest's history and how sequoias grow.
The exhibits on the trail include a large cut tree slice, where you can read growth rings from different centuries. Fallen trunks with scars from old forest fires lie beside the path, and the roots of fallen trees are large enough to stop you in your tracks. The signs also explain why the trees grow in this part of the forest and how they hold up to fire.
Crowds at the tree
The area around the tree is busiest in summer and on holiday weekends. Visitors often line up for a photo in front of the sign and the trunk. Early May and the shoulder seasons tend to be quieter than summer.
If you want a calmer walk, the Congress Trail continues past the tree through groves with fewer people. The full loop is about 2.9 miles (4.7 km).
Nearby sights
The Giant Forest Museum sits close to the tree. Its exhibits cover the ecology of giant sequoias and the people who have worked to protect them.
Moro Rock, a granite dome with about 390 steps to the top at 6,725 feet, is a separate stop. Shuttle service to it runs only in some seasons, so check before you plan the day.
Sequoia National Park was established in 1890. It is now managed alongside Kings Canyon National Park, next door.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee?
Visitors who are not US residents pay park fees. The park's website lists current rates.
How long do you need at the General Sherman Tree?
Plan 1 to 2 hours for the round trip on foot, including time at the tree, because the walk back is uphill.
Is the General Sherman Tree wheelchair accessible?
A short paved accessible route leads to the tree from Generals Highway. Manual wheelchairs may need help on the steeper parts of the main walk.
Can I buy drinks at the tree?
No. Drinks are not sold on site, so bring water with you.
Is there a way to avoid the walk down?
A free in-park shuttle stops at the Lower Sherman Tree stop, the closest point to the tree. The walk from the stop is still about half a mile each way.
