General Sherman Tree

General Sherman Tree can be found at the north end of Giant Forest in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California and is approximately seven miles from the town of Three Rivers. The forest is an area of three square miles containing some of the largest trees on the planet including the General Sherman. This giant sequoia is believed to be the world's largest tree in terms of volume, and is estimated to weigh over 2,000 tons with bark three feet thick.

The tree takes its name from the American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman. However, although the tree rises to an impressive 272 feet high it is not the tallest tree in the world as it is beaten by some Giant Redwoods also in California. The tree can be accessed via a half mile trail that starts just north of General Sherman and includes some stairs.

Visitors cannot actually touch the tree as it is fenced off to deter vandalism, but there are many other sequoias for people to view closer up. The Giant Forest Museum provides visitors more information about this tree and sequoias in general. Anyone wishing to stay in the park can do so at one of the 14 campgrounds located here.