Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sierra Redwood)
Michael's Opinion
If ample space is available, this is an amazing tree to grow. Since it is native to the west coast of Canada it is not hardy in southern Ontario. However, it will grow in a container and there are more tolerant cultivars available to try.
Botanical Information
Family | Taxodiaceae |
Genus | Sequoiadendron |
Species | giganteum |
Category | Woody |
Type | Tree (evergreen) |
Origin | Western United States of America. |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 6b - 7a |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 6a - 6b |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H6 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -21 - (-15) |
Temperature (°F) | -5 - 5 |
Height | 20 - 100 m |
Spread | 5 - 30 m |
Growth | Fast |
Flowering Period | April |
Description and Growing Information
Landscape | Use as a specimen conifer where there is room to ascend and spread. |
Propagation | By seed requiring no pre-treatment. |
Pests | No serious pests or diseases to note. |
Notable Specimens | Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. |
Habitat | Dense and pyramidal-oval in youth, losing its lower branches with a narrow- pyramidal crown of foliage. |
Bark/Stem Description | Spongy in texture and rich reddish brown, quite thick as a form of protection against fire. |
Leaf Description | Blue-green needles vary in length from 2 -10 mm and are usually awl shaped, triangular in cross section, tapering from the base to a fine point. They point forward toward the apex, covering the stem longitudinally in 3 spiralling rows. |
Flower Description | Male flowers are axillary and terminal with numerous spirally arranged stamens; female flowers are terminal with 15 - 20 peltate scales. |
Texture Description | Medium textured. |