Image sourced from Wikimedia/Pimlico27
The Plant Kingdom is made up of millions of plant species, but if we have to talk about the largest, none surpasses the Sequoiadendron giganteum. It is not exactly the best tree to have in the garden, unless it is large, but the reality is that it has such a slow growth rate and is so beautiful that it is almost impossible not to acquire it as soon as you have the opportunity.
As if that were not enough, in addition to being large, it is one of the plants with a longer life expectancy: as long as conditions allow it, can live 3200 yearsMuch more than any other living being.
What is the origin and characteristics of the Sequoidendron giganteum?
Image sourced from Flickr/oliveoligarchy
Known as sequoia, giant sequoia, Sierra redwood, velintonia, or great tree, this magnificent conifer is an evergreen plant endemic to the western Sierra Nevada in California. It can reach a maximum height of 94 meters with a trunk diameter of more than 11 meters., although the most common is that it stays in just about 50-85 meters with a trunk of 5 to 7 meters in diameter.
Its trunk is straight, with fibrous bark, and is crowned by awl-shaped leaves., which grow in a spiral arrangement and are 3 to 6 millimeters long. The cones are 4 to 7 centimeters, and take 18 to 20 months to mature, although they can take up to 20 years to release the seeds. These are small, 4-5 millimeters long by 1 millimeter wide, dark brown, and have yellow-brown wings that help them move away from their parents when the wind blows.
What uses does it have?
the giant sequoia used only as an ornamental plant. In the past, it was considered to find some use for its wood, for example to produce fence slats, but it is so brittle that today I would say that it is used very little, or not at all, for that (although if I am wrong, please please tell me 🙂 ).
If it is grown as an isolated specimen, it is wonderful, because you know that sooner or later you will have a tree that will stand out from the rest. And that's not to mention that, if you have the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat, you will surely enjoy it.
What are the care of the giant sequoia?
We are before a conifer that requires a lot of space and a temperate and even temperate-cold climate. She needs protection from the sun when she is young, and that she herself gradually gets used to being more and more exposed to the sun.
The land must have good drainage, and above all be rich in organic matter. Prefers slightly acidic soils, or at least with a neutral pH, since in the alkaline ones it usually ends with iron chlorosis due to the lack of iron. Therefore, the irrigation water must also be slightly acidic, so I recommend using rain water, or if this cannot be achieved, a low-cal one. You have to water from time to time, because it does not resist drought.
Multiplies by seeds, which are sown in autumn in seedbeds with substrate for acid plants placed outside, in semi-shade. If you live in an area with a temperate-warm climate, it is better that you stratify them in the fridge, planting them in a Tupperware container with vermiculite and placing it in the section for dairy products, sausages, etc., for 3 months.
Finally, tell you that is able to resist up to -30ºC, but cannot live well in hot climates with extreme temperatures.
Hello Monica.
We do not have this species on the farm, we did not dare because of its enormous size, but it is a very beautiful tree. I think I have read that in the last century some specimens were felled in California that were dated at 6.000 years old, that is, before the pyramids! Unforgivable. I have seen photos of roads passing through a specimen of Sequoia. In the Retiro Park in Madrid there are some specimens but they are not progressing well, I think as a result of the irrigation water, which is recycled. A girl climbed a copy for three months to avoid cutting her down in California and she did it!
One question: What differences are there with the Redwood? Are they relatives?
Thank you very much.
A cordial greeting,
GALANTE NACHO
Hello Nacho.
Think of it as a very, very slow growing species. It would almost be said that you sow it, the next generation takes care of it, the next one enjoys it, and the next one can already admire it hehehe 🙂
Luckily there are people who still defend nature. Although it is an achievement that he managed to save that specimen in California.
Regarding your question: yes, they share genetic material. In fact they are within the same botanical subfamily: Sequoioideae.
regards
I must make an important correction.
Provided the soil and weather conditions are right, the giant sequoia is a very fast growing tree.
One problem is that many specimens have to survive outside their ideal habitat, and that is why they do not grow as they should.
In height it grows an average of 45cm per year, much more in good years; but doing an average it comes out around 45cm per year, year after year, so centennial specimens are around 45 meters high.
But it is in thickness that the giant sewuoia breaks all records among cold weather trees.
It grows around 10cm per year in perimeter, with good years reaching 15cm.
This means that specimens about 100 years old have trunks with a perimeter of more than 10m, that is, thicknesses of more than 3 meters in diameter.
And as long as the rays respect them, maintaining a perfectly conical cup.
Hello Raul.
Thank you very much for your comment. Without a doubt, the information you provide is very, very interesting.
Regards!