Giant Sequoia Trees are Thriving at an Exceptional Rate in the UK

Giant sequoia trees are thriving in the UK, growing at a similar rate to the tree’s homeland of California.

Giant sequoias that can reach up to 90 meters in height (Sequoiadendron giganteum), also known as the Giant Sequoia, is one of the tallest trees in the world. This coniferous species is endemic to California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, but only 80,000 individuals remain there, largely due to frequent and destructive wildfires.

Approximately 500,000 giant sequoias have been planted in Britain since the 19th century. “Giant sequoias are widely cultivated in the UK” matthias disney At University College London. “They’re incredibly majestic and obviously very attractive to people.”

To understand how trees grow on this side of the pond, Disney and his colleagues analyzed 97 trees taken from groves in Scotland and southeastern England.

The team used a laser scanner to map each tree in 3D to precisely determine its height and width and estimate its weight.

The tallest tree was in Scotland and was just under 55 meters tall. Disney says this is not surprising as the earliest record of giant sequoias being planted in the UK is in Scotland.

The trees also appear to be growing as fast as California trees, absorbing an average of 85 kilograms of carbon from the atmosphere each year.

“It’s very fast,” Disney says. “Instead of oak trees having to wait 150 years to reach maturity, giant sequoias can grow in less than 50 years.”

He says the healthy growth rate may be due to Britain’s relatively stable climate. “We’re not threatened by a lack of rainfall or an increase in fires like California is.”

Giant sequoias grow quickly and absorb carbon, but Disney warns against planting them en masse to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

“Of course trees can help absorb a little bit of carbon dioxide, but that process takes time and requires a lot of wood,” he says. “It is better to protect what already exists and rapidly reduce fossil fuel consumption now.”

Disney and his colleagues want to study how the invasive redwoods are affecting local trees and other wildlife. “At the moment, all the sequoias here are planted, so we’re also very interested in seeing if they can propagate here.”