Researchers have unveiled that the UK’s giant sequoias, Earth’s most colossal trees, are thriving with growth rates nearly matching those in California.
The British 19th-century aristocratic estates are now home to roughly 500,000 sequoias, also known as giant redwoods. This figure significantly surpasses the 80,000 sequoias in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
Despite California’s sequoias facing frequent, severe wildfires and droughts due to climate change, the UK’s sequoias generally fare well, according to the Royal Society, the UK’s science academy.
Dr. Mathias Disney from University College London suggests the UK’s temperate, moist climate will benefit these trees long-term.
Introduced to Britain in the 1800s, giant sequoias initially symbolised Victorian wealth and exoticism. They have lived over 3,000 years.
Despite their rapid growth and environmental benefits, including shade provision and carbon sequestration, their impact on local biodiversity remains uncertain.
Dr. Disney emphasizes the novelty of sequoias in the UK and cautions against underestimating their potential. Their successful acclimatization represents a promising development for global conservation efforts.
