Sequoiadendron giganteum / Sequoia della California

Origin: Sierra Nevada, California

Botanical characteristics: It is a large evergreen conifer, considered the longest-living and thickest trunk in the world (more than 100m high. and circumference up to 30m.). It has conical growth habit when young and then columnar. Trunk is erect and branches at regular stages, curved downward. Bark is very thick, soft, cracked, reddish-brown. Leaves are clearly wedge-shaped, glaucous green, aromatic and arranged radially on twigs. It is a dioecious plant with separated male and female flowers but on the same plant. The female cones are ovoid, about 7 cm long, initially green, then brown and persist on the plant for several years.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It prefers cool, deep, moist but well-drained soils.

Use: It is grown as ornamental plant, used as single specimen in large-sized parks and gardens. It is frequent in dendrological collections.