Sequoiadendron giganteum

A native of California from the western side of the Sierra Nevada, known to grow to 80-90m, but this is most unlikely under Australian climatic conditions. Will initially grow well in early development without constant irrigation, but would be best irrigated to fully develop and sustain a large canopy.

The bark of mature trees is described as a furrowed light pink bronze in colour that is particularly characteristic of this species of Sequoiadendron. Branches are drooping bearing needle like leaves. This tree was very popular and planted extensively in parks and gardens from the 1860s in Australia.

Examples can be found in the Victoria and Ballarat Botanic Gardens and at Alton in Macedon.

Typical mature height:

30-40m in Melbourne

Useful in:

specimen park tree

Sites for best growth:

Cool humid conditions with constantly moist soil.

Reference:

Spencer, R 1997 Horticultural flora of south-eastern Australia, University of New South Wales Press Vol. 1, p. 303.