1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native. Native to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, USA. Introduced to Britain in the 1850s and widely planted in Victorian estates and parks.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Evergreen – retains foliage year-round.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Small, scale-like or awl-shaped, 3–6 mm long, arranged spirally around shoots. Bluish-green in colour.
Bark: Soft, fibrous, and spongy, reddish-brown to orange, deeply furrowed, and up to 60 cm thick in old trees.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Monoecious (male and female cones on the same tree). Male cones are small and yellow; female cones are egg-shaped, 5–7 cm long, and take 18–20 months to mature before releasing tiny winged seeds.
Overall shape: Massive, tall, conical crown when young, broadening into a wide dome with age. Trunks are immense and strongly buttressed.
4. Typical Size
30–50 m tall in the UK (exceptionally 60 m); in native range can exceed 90 m. Trunk girth in Britain often 5–8 m.
5. Habitat & Range
In the UK, commonly planted in parks, arboreta, and large estates. Thrives in deep, fertile soils with good moisture. Prefers sheltered conditions but tolerates a wide range of sites.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Immense size and bulk, even at a young age.
Thick, spongy red-brown bark.
Small scale-like leaves, unlike the flat needles of coast redwood.
Dome-shaped crown in maturity.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Male cones shed pollen; new shoots develop.
Summer: Dense, blue-green canopy.
Autumn: Cones mature; bark glows richly in low sun.
Winter: Evergreen foliage; thick bark provides striking colour and texture.
8. Human Uses
In Britain, planted ornamentally as specimen trees and in avenues.
In native range, highly valued for timber (rot-resistant, light but strong), though now protected.
Iconic landscape feature in historic parks and arboreta.
9. Wildlife Value
Provides nesting and roosting habitat for birds and shelter for mammals.
Supports fewer insects compared with native trees but contributes to structural diversity.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
The largest trees on Earth by volume are giant redwoods, with the General Sherman Tree in California estimated at over 1,400 tonnes.
Victorian estate owners competed to plant them in Britain after their discovery; many of today’s UK specimens are now among the largest trees in Europe.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers deep, moist, fertile soils; tolerates loam, clay, or sandy soils but dislikes shallow chalk.
Light: Best in full sun; tolerates light shade when young.
Watering: Water regularly in first 3–5 years; prefers moist but not waterlogged conditions.
Spacing: At least 10–15 m from other trees or buildings; requires vast space when mature.
Aftercare: Mulch well to conserve soil moisture. Protect young trees from drought and wind. Minimal pruning needed.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Unsuitable for streets or tight spaces due to huge size. Works in parks, estates, and arboreta.
Garden: Only suitable for very large gardens or parkland. Provides a dramatic specimen tree but requires long-term space and commitment.