Description
Sequoiadendron giganteum – Giant Sequoia
Brief description: The Giant Sequoia is the most voluminous tree in the world – in its Californian home, it reaches trunk circumferences of over 30 m and an age of 3,000 years. In Central Europe, it remains more modest but still becomes one of the most imposing specimen trees of all: a broad, conical crown, deep reddish, spongy-soft bark, and evergreen, blue-green needles. A tree for generations – planted for posterity.
- Sunny to partial shade
- Fresh to moist conditions
- Hardy after the juvenile years
- 30 to 80 cm growth / year
- Fire-resistant bark
- Requires deep soils
Climatic characteristics & site conditions: The Giant Sequoia is hardier than the Coast Redwood and tolerates frosts down to –20 °C without problems. It prefers deep, fresh to moderately dry, and well-drained soils on an acidic to neutral basis. In Southern Germany, it thrives excellently in the high-precipitation areas of the Black Forest, the Alpine foothills, and the Allgäu. It avoids waterlogging and highly calcareous soils. In sheltered urban locations with sufficient soil moisture, it grows surprisingly well.
Advantages: Most imposing specimen tree for generations, characteristic reddish soft bark, evergreen, hardier than Coast Redwood, fast growth in suitable locations, minimal pest pressure.
Disadvantages: Enormous space requirement – absolutely not a tree for residential gardens, no lime soils or waterlogging, non-native, less suitable in dry continental locations, no ecological value for native fauna.
