Practical
Plants

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Big Tree

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Sequoiadendron genus in the family Taxodiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
90 m
Spread
20 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - coarse-grained, very light, soft, very durable, rather brittle. Used for shingle, construction, fence posts etc[2][7][8][11][6].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
Well-drained but moist soils with an annual precipitation of 110 - 155cm a year[6]. Found on the west side of the Sierra Nevada between 1500 and 2500 metres[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[2], two months cold stratification might help[3]. 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[9]. If there are sufficient seeds, they can be sown in a lightly shaded outdoor bed in late March[9]. Grow them on for two years in the seed bed before planting them out into their permanent positions in late autumn or early spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily cultivated, fast-growing tree[10], it prefers a deep rich soil and a sunny sheltered position[1][2][10]. Thrives in any soil, site or exposure[10] including a hot dry position. Tolerates light shade only when very young[5], older plants strongly dislike shade[2]. Does not thrive on shallow chalk[5]. Established plants are drought resistant[5]. Dislikes atmospheric pollution[5]. This species is the biggest (but not the tallest) tree in the world[10] and can weigh up to 2000 tonnes[4][5]. It is also a very long-lived tree in the wild, specimens have been found that are 3500 years old[10]. Fairly fast growing in height in Britain, annual increases of 60cm for the first 50 years or more are common[4]. Increase in girth can be spectacular, 7 - 10cm a year being the average[4]. Trees appear to be long-lived in Britain[4]. Best planted into its permanent position when no more than 30 - 50 cm tall[5]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[10][5]. The foliage is hard and harsh to the touch and readily emits a scent of aniseed[4]. Cones take 2 years to mature[11]. In its native habitat the cones are retained on the tree with viable seed for up to 30 years[4]. The cones open after the heat of a forest fire[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  4. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2

  7. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  9. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

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