This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Sequoiadendron giganteum
  • Big Tree

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

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Sequoiadendron giganteum has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Sequoiadendron giganteum.

Material uses

Wood - coarse-grained, very light, soft, very durable, rather brittle. Used for shingle, construction, fence posts etc[1][2][3][4][5].

Unknown part

Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Sequoiadendron giganteum.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[1], two months cold stratification might help[6]. 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[7]. If there are sufficient seeds, they can be sown in a lightly shaded outdoor bed in late March[7]. Grow them on for two years in the seed bed before planting them out into their permanent positions in late autumn or early spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Sequoiadendron giganteum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily cultivated, fast-growing tree[8], it prefers a deep rich soil and a sunny sheltered position[9][1][8]. Thrives in any soil, site or exposure[8] including a hot dry position. Tolerates light shade only when very young[10], older plants strongly dislike shade[1]. Does not thrive on shallow chalk[10]. Established plants are drought resistant[10]. Dislikes atmospheric pollution[10].

This species is the biggest (but not the tallest) tree in the world[8] and can weigh up to 2000 tonnes[11][10]. It is also a very long-lived tree in the wild, specimens have been found that are 3500 years old[8]. Fairly fast growing in height in Britain, annual increases of 60cm for the first 50 years or more are common[11]. Increase in girth can be spectacular, 7 - 10cm a year being the average[11]. Trees appear to be long-lived in Britain[11]. Best planted into its permanent position when no more than 30 - 50 cm tall[10]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[8][10]. The foliage is hard and harsh to the touch and readily emits a scent of aniseed[11].

Cones take 2 years to mature[4]. In its native habitat the cones are retained on the tree with viable seed for up to 30 years[11]. The cones open after the heat of a forest fire[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Sequoiadendron giganteum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Sequoiadendron giganteum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Genus
Sequoiadendron
Family
Taxodiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[1][2][3][4][5]
Botanic
[1][12][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
90 x 20 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

"image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  6. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
  9. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.710.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.5 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
  12. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-71

"image:Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Sequoiadendron_giganteum&oldid=80856"
Facts about "Sequoiadendron giganteum"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyTaxodiaceae +
Belongs to genusSequoiadendron +
Has binomial nameSequoiadendron giganteum +
Has common nameBig Tree +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeWind +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone7 +
Has imageGrizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useWood +
Has mature height90 +
Has mature width20 +
Has primary imageGrizzly Giant Mariposa Grove.jpg +
Has search namesequoiadendron giganteum + and big tree +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameSequoiadendron giganteum +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Sequoiadendron giganteum +