Final answer:
The Giant Sequoia, which is the largest non-clonal tree by volume, is part of the Cupressaceae family. Its remarkable size and adaptations to its fire-prone environment distinguish it from the taller but slimmer Coast Redwood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Giant Sequoia, known as Sequoiadendron giganteum, is the largest non-clonal tree by volume and belongs to the Cupressaceae family. This tree species is a member of the Sequoioideae subfamily, which includes close relatives such as the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia). The Giant Sequoia is well adapted to its environment, requiring fire to open its cones and release seeds, as well as to clear the forest floor for successful seedling germination .While the Giant Sequoia is characterized by its massive volume, it is not the tallest tree species; that distinction goes to the Coast Redwood, which can reach greater heights but has a slimmer build. The largest recorded Giant Sequoia by volume is approximately 1,487 cubic meters and around 84 meters in height, whereas the tallest Coast Redwood stands at 115.55 meters. Both species show a remarkable ability to adapt to their respective ecosystems and have unique reproductive adaptations such as cone opening in response to fire, and in the case of the Coast Redwood, the ability to sprout from the trunk.