The tallest tree in the country is a Douglas Fir on the Powerscourt River Walk in Co. Wicklow. The tree stood at an imposing 61.5 metres (202ft) when it made it into tree expert Aubrey Fennell’s 2013 book Heritage Trees of Ireland – we can only assume it’s grown a little since then.

The tallest native tree in Ireland is an ash near Clonmel, Co Tipperary; it is 40 metres tall. Most trees outlive humans.

Sequoia sempervirens

The Giant Redwood is native to Sierra Nevada in Californian and is confined to a few isolated slopes with a western aspect between 5000 and 8000 feet above sea level. It was introduced to Ireland and the UK in the 1850’s and is commonly found throughout the British Isles with the exception of the West of Ireland.

Known scientifically as sequoioideae, redwood trees were once native to Ireland prior to the Ice Age of around three million years ago. Other specimens in Ireland can be found in Powerscourt Estate and Charleville Estate in Co. Wicklow, but Giants Grove will far surpass them in area.

The Coast Redwood can eventually reach heights of over 300ft making it suitable for large gardens and parks. It grows well in Ireland as a specimen tree where its size and its thick, reddish, spongy bark can be shown off to advantage. Despite its name it does need some protection from coastal exposure.

Sierra redwood trees are the largest trees in the world. Many sierra redwoods are between 250 and 300 feet tall, the tallest being about 325 feet high.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Potwisha, Buckeye Flats, Sentinel and Lodge Pole campgrounds are open by reservation only. Visit Recreation.gov to make a reservation. Reservations will be available up to one month in advance.

Per permit fee: a $15 per permit non-refundable fee is required for each wilderness permit during quota season. Per person fee: a $5 per person refundable fee is required for each wilderness permit during quota season.

With over 800 miles of maintained trails designed to help you experience the more than 800,000 acres of designated Wilderness, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer incredible opportunities for wilderness recreation.

8 Epic Backpacking Trips in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

• Lakes Trail to Pear Lake.
• High Sierra Trail.
• Rae Lakes Loop.
• Little Five Lakes Loop.
• Mineral King to Franklin Lakes.
• Hamilton Lake.
• Alta Peak to Alta Meadow.
• Middle Fork to Redwood Meadow.

Sequoia lake is on PRIVATE PROPERTY! It is on the way to Sequoia lake. It’s beautiful! But the lake itself is run by the camps of the YMCA and not truly open to the public!

if you bring extra clothes, you can also take a swim in the waters. The most beautiful of all three is the Pear lake.

Hiking and Backpacking Wilderness permit desks are open throughout the parks and the quota season has begun. Reservations are available on Recreation.gov.

Perhaps the most high-profile of Sequoia wildlife, black bears thrive in the park. Despite their name, black bears can be brown, cinnamon, or even blonde in color. Black bears are not usually aggressive, and often escape danger by climbing trees.