This children’s article, Giants of the forest: Meet the world’s tallest trees, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about nature, and discover amazing tree facts. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
Redwoods: Nature’s skyscrapers
When it comes to being tall, no tree in the world can beat the coast redwood. These amazing trees live along the coast of northern California and Oregon in the United States. The tallest one ever measured is called Hyperion, and it stands at almost 116 metres, that’s taller than the Statue of Liberty!
Redwoods can live for more than 2,000 years, quietly reaching higher and higher up into the sky. Their thin, tall trunks make them look like natural skyscrapers, growing on average 60cm each year.
Sequoias: Heavyweight champions
While redwoods win the prize for tallest, giant sequoias take the crown for biggest. These trees don’t grow quite as high, usually around 90 metres, but they are unbelievably thick. The most famous one, General Sherman, is the largest living tree in the world by volume.
General Sherman is so wide that around 20 people holding hands would be needed to hug it all the way around. It’s like a wooden mountain standing in the forest!
Where do they grow?
Both redwoods and giant sequoias grow naturally in California, USA. Redwoods love the misty, cool climate near the Pacific Ocean, which keeps their roots wet and healthy. Giant sequoias prefer the slightly drier mountainous areas of the Sierra Nevada.
Sadly, both trees have much less land to grow than they used to because of farming and other human developments. Long ago, they covered much larger parts of the world. Now, national parks help protect them so they don’t disappear completely.
Fun tree facts
Did you know that redwoods are so tall, they create their own little weather system? The upper branches catch fog and turn it into water, which drips down like gentle rain to the forest floor.
Another fun fact: redwood bark is naturally fire-resistant! That’s one reason why some of these trees have survived for thousands of years; they stand tall even when wildfires pass through their forests.
Article vocabulary list
- Redwood – the tallest type of tree in the world, found in California.
- Sequoia – a massive type of tree, the largest in the world by size.
- Volume – how much space something takes up.
- Skyscraper – a very tall city building.
- Climate – the usual weather in a place.
- Fog – thick mist made of tiny water droplets in the air.
- Fire resistant – able to survive or not burn easily in fire.
- National park – a protected area of land kept safe for nature.
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Which tree is the tallest in the world?
A) Giant sequoia
B) Coast redwood
C) Oak tree
Answer: B) Coast redwood
2. What is the name of the tallest redwood?
A) General Sherman
B) Liberty
C) Hyperion
Answer: C) Hyperion
3. Which tree is the largest by size (volume)?
A) Coast redwood
B) Giant sequoia
C) Pine tree
Answer: B) Giant sequoia
4. Where do giant sequoias grow naturally?
A) Sierra Nevada mountains
B) Amazon rainforest
C) Australian outback
Answer: A) Sierra Nevada mountains
5. What special feature helps redwoods survive fires?
A) Fire-resistant bark
B) Very tall branches
C) Lots of water in the soil
Answer: A) Fire-resistant bark
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
