Big Tree, Giant sequoia, Giant Redwood, Sierra Redwood
Sequoiadendron giganteum

Family: Taxodiaceae

What it is like

Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Columnar, Pyramidal.

Sequoiadendron giganteum is an evergreen Tree growing to 90 m (295ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen all year. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Height (m): 90

Where it is found

Well-drained but moist soils with an annual precipitation of 110 - 155cm a year. Found on the west side of the Sierra Nevada between 1500 and 2500 metres.

South-western N. America - California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Wood - coarse-grained, very light, soft, very durable, rather brittle. Used for shingle, construction, fence posts etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Christmas tree, Firewood, Aggressive surface roots possible, Screen, Specimen. An easily cultivated, fast-growing tree, it prefers a deep rich soil and a sunny sheltered position. Thrives in any soil, site or exposure including a hot dry position. Tolerates light shade only when very young, older plants strongly dislike shade. Does not thrive on shallow chalk. Established plants are drought resistant. Dislikes atmospheric pollution. This species is the biggest (but not the tallest) tree in the world and can weigh up to 2000 tonnes. It is also a very long-lived tree in the wild, specimens have been found that are 3500 years old. Fairly fast growing in height in Britain, annual increases of 60cm for the first 50 years or more are common. Increase in girth can be spectacular, 7 - 10cm a year being the average. Trees appear to be long-lived in Britain. Best planted into its permanent position when no more than 30 - 50 cm tall. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus. The foliage is hard and harsh to the touch and readily emits a scent of aniseed. Cones take 2 years to mature. In its native habitat the cones are retained on the tree with viable seed for up to 30 years. The cones open after the heat of a forest fire. Special Features: Attracts birds, North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame in light shade. Seed can also be sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Germination rates are usually very low, two months cold stratification might help. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Plants will require some protection from cold and spring frosts for their first year or two outdoors. If there are sufficient seeds, they can be sown in a lightly shaded outdoor bed in late March. Grow them on for two years in the seed bed before planting them out into their permanent positions in late autumn or early spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 6-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. gigantea. S. wellingtonia. S. wellingtoniana. Wellingtonia gigantea. W. californica.