In this article you will obtain information about the Sequoia Tree, which, due to its impressive dimensions, embellishes the most famous recreation spaces and other places where it is found, in addition, it is distinguished by lasting thousands of years. If you want to know more about respect, we invite you to continue reading.
The Sequoia Tree
When we refer to tall and large trees, we must mention the sequoia tree or sequoia sempervirens, since it is the species that most adorns the world's flora. Despite being located mostly in the United States, they are also admired in Spain, Austria, France, England, New Zealand, Great Britain, Italy and Portugal, among other countries. They are characterized by slow growth, and are part of the vegetation of mountainous areas and humid soils, particularly national parks and monuments.
Sequoias grow in clumps, which experts believe provides protection from weather changes, especially from icy winds and snow. They have a very particular growth structure since several trunks grow very close to each other from one root. This is a self-preservation mechanism, so that if one of the stems is damaged, the others continue to grow and provide the sap to the trunk that needs it. The main forests of this plant variety are found in Oregon and California.
The seeds are found in cones or pineapples, some mature between 1 and 2 years, but others take up to 20 years, their production is around 40 seeds on average, yellowish brown, some fall when it is hot in late summer, or due to fire or insect damage. As for the way these trees reproduce, it is sexual and asexual. Although they produce a large number of seeds, only 15% manage to flower and generate a new shoot.
They can also reproduce by cuttings, that is, from young shoots, from which genetically identical plants will be born. It is worth noting that this type of large and long-lived trees reach sexual maturity between 15 and 20 years. These trees can be found in territories with humid climates, where dry summers and winters with a lot of snow predominate; Most of the giant sequoia forests are found on granitic, residual and alluvial soils, at an altitude of 1,4 to 2 kilometers above sea level.
Types of Redwoods
Within the variety of these trees, the giant sequoia can be mentioned in principle, or as it is scientifically called Sequoiadendrum giganteum, it is an evergreen conifer and to which different names are attributed such as velintonia, sierra sequoia or large native tree. from the western Sierra Nevada, California that can reach 105 meters in height, averaging in some cases 50 or 85 meters in height during its estimated life of 3200 years.
Then there is the California redwood, also called redwood or sequoia sempervirens, it is a huge tree with flat everlasting leaves that are usually up to 25 millimeters long and are dark green. They have a very wide stem of approximately 8 meters, with a reddish and fibrous exterior appearance, which intensifies its color over time, which is estimated to be up to 3000 years old. It is found primarily along the Pacific coast of North America. It should be noted that the oldest specimen discovered is around 2200 years old.
In addition, they are located on the European continent, because in the first half of the 32th century, from a gift between members of the monarchy of the United Kingdom and Spain, this species was planted in different parks as an ornament of great interest for its admirable characteristics that make it a great exotic and majestic tree. As for its pineapple-shaped cones, they measure up to 3 mm long and contain from 7 to XNUMX seeds each, as is common in this genus, the cones open when they dry out more than everything or by means of insects that manage to break them. .
As of 2003, in Cantabria, the declaration of a National Monument was formalized as a reservoir of the tallest trees in the world, which surprisingly adorn the forest since the 40s. Likewise, in Mexico they have been implanted since the 70s, specifically in the municipality of Jilotepec, specimens of redwoods moved from California, and that almost fifty years later have already grown about 15 meters.
World Renowned Redwoods
Considering the width of its trunk, the most famous specimens, according to studies carried out in 2009, are first of all the Sequoia Hyperión, as it is the largest since it was discovered in 2006, measuring approximately 115 meters in height. Then there is the General Sherman, which reaches 83 meters high, is located in the vast jungle of the United States National Park, has a huge trunk with a circumference of 31 meters and a volume of 1.486 cubic meters, it is distinguished by surviving for more 2000 years old and is recognized as the largest tree in the world.
It is followed by the General Grant, located in the General Grant Groove in Kings Canyon National Park, which is 81 meters high, 32 meters in diameter and has a volume of 1.319 cubic meters. Then the President stands out, which is also located in the grove of the gigantic forest with a height of 73 meters long, a circumference with respect to the ground of 28 meters and exhibits a volume of 1278 cubic meters. As well as the Lincoln, like another copy that is located in Giant Forest, with its dazzling 77 meters long, 29 meters in circumference and a volume of 1259 cubic meters.
Then there is the Stagg, which is located in Alder Creek of the Giant Sequoia National Monument and has remarkable dimensions such as 74 meters high, a diameter of 33 meters and a volume of 1205 cubic meters. In addition, there is the Boole which is a Converse Basin tree, belonging to the aforementioned Monument and has a height of 81 meters, a circumference of 34 meters and a volume of 1202 cubic meters. While the so-called Genesis tree is part of the Mountain Home and measures 77 meters high, 26 meters in circumference and 1186 cubic meters in volume.
Others that make up the list of famous sequoias is the named Franklin, also from the Giant Forest, with a height of 68 meters, a circumference of 28 meters and a volume of 1168 cubic meters. In turn, there is the King Arthur specimen located in the Garfield grove, which has a height of 82 meters, 31 meters in circumference and 1151 cubic meters in volume. Likewise, Monroe stands out, which can be seen in the Giant Forest grove and appreciate its volume of 1135 cubic meters, its height of 75 meters and width of 27 meters.
They are also included as large trees that were given the name Helio, alluding to the sun god in Greek mythology for measuring around 114 meters. There is also the Icarus that has a height of 113 meters, while the Daedalus tree is only 110 meters high. Regarding its location, it is said that it is reserved for the purpose of ensuring its environmental preservation and thus avoiding its risk of deforestation.
Sequoia Conservation
Today it is one of the species under protection, as it has been listed as an endangered species as established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), due to the controlled fires that occurred in a large part of its lands of origin in order to help the growth of these plants, caused their progress to be still very slow, and have determined that other plants with better adaptability were developed in their place.
Farming
The importance of the sequoia tree, as mentioned above, has justified its cultivation in other parts of the world, which is why large groves are known in Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Chile, among other places. In addition, it is grown, albeit less successfully, in other parts of the United States. Before explaining more about this aspect, it is worth noting that this type of tree is characterized by its ability to withstand temperatures below zero degrees Celsius or colder for short periods of time, as long as the soil around the roots is insulated with snow. or mulch.
In Europe
The tallest tree found outside the Americas is a specimen planted near Ribeauvillé in France in 1856 and measured in 2014 at an altitude of 60 meters at 160 years of age. In the United Kingdom, the giant sequoia tree was first cultivated in 1853 by Perthshire gardener Patrick Matthew from seed sent by his son from the US state of California. Although a larger shipment of seed collected in Calaveras Grove by William Lobb, who performed for the Veitch Nursery near Exeter, arrived in England in December 1853.
This cargo mentioned was marketed throughout the old continent. Its development in the UK has been very rapid, with the tallest tree at Benmore in south west Scotland reaching 56,4 meters in 2014 at the age of 150 years, and several more 50 to 53 meters tall. ; the most robust is around 12 meters in circumference and 4 meters in diameter, in Perthshire. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London also contain a large specimen. At Biddulph Grange Garden in Staffordshire, he has a fine collection of Sequoiadendron giganteum and Coast Redwoods.
Likewise, in England it is known that there is a site with more than a hundred of these trees that were planted more than two centuries ago near the town of Camberley and since then the trees share natural spaces with buildings. As additional information, the average development of a fully mature specimen can reach 22 meters in height and 88 centimeters in diameter of the trunk in 17 years. In the north of the continent, its growth is very limited, due to the cold climate.
In Denmark, the tallest tree was 115 feet tall and 5,6 feet in diameter in 1976 and is taller today. In Poland, it is mentioned that a tree managed to survive temperatures of minus 37 degrees Celsius with a thick layer of snow. From Germany this species was introduced in 1952 at Sequoiafarm Kaldenkirchen. And in the Serbian region, the existence of 29 trees, reaching 30 meters in height in Belgrade, is recognized, and in the Czech Republic one of these trees managed to reach 44 meters and is located in the garden of Ratměřice Castle.
In North America
Redwoods have been planted in abundance throughout the American West Coast and in parts of the American South, reflecting the widespread popularity this species has gained. Specifically, it can be said that the plantation of this vegetation is abundant in western Oregon and from north to south-west of British Columbia in Canada, with very good growth rates. In Washington and Oregon, it is common to find giant sequoias that have been successfully planted in both urban and rural areas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xPmWZNYbtU
On the East Coast of the United States, the development of these large trees has been even slower than in other areas, and they are highly prone to Cercospora and Kabatina fungal diseases due to hot, humid summer weather. There are records that a tree at Blithewold Gardens in Bristol, Rhode Island is 27 meters tall, supposedly the tallest in the New England state. The Taylor Memorial Arboretum in Delaware County, Pennsylvania is 29 feet tall, which some may consider the tallest in the Northeast.
Additionally, the existence of large plantations in various renowned parks can be highlighted, such as: the Arnold Arborium in Boston, Longwood in Delaware, the New Jersey Botanical Garden, among others. Even so, private plantations can be found along the east coast of the country, where the most popular are in the nation's capital, in the state of Colorado and some renowned specimens in Michigan.
In Australia
In the Australian case, we can find a large collection of these trees in the Ballarat Botanical Garden. Other places to see include: Jubilee Park and Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve in Daylesford, Cook Park in Orange, NSW, and Carisbrook's Deep Creek Park in Victoria. The Pialligo Redwood Forest includes 3.000 surviving redwood trees, out of 122.000 cultivated, 500 meters east of Canberra Airport. The forest was designed by urban designer Walter Burley Griffin.
The Canberra National Arboretum created a forest of these plants in 2008. Although they also grow in the abandoned arboretum at Mount Banda Banda in New South Wales. On the island of Tasmania, you can see some trees in private and public gardens, as the giant sequoias were very popular in the middle of 1837-1901, that is, in the Victorian era. It has several mature redwood specimens at Westbury Village Green and more in Deloraine. In addition, there are some Sequoiadendron giganteum and Sequoia sempervirens at the Tasmanian Arboretum.
In Chile
In this country, the forests of the south were enriched with this type of tree, as it is a species that grows perfectly in shaded conditions and reproduces quite well, which allows the formation of mixed forests with an area of more than a thousand hectares, from its implantation in the country for ornamental purposes at the end of the last century, thus demonstrating that this species can be successfully established, since it can reach a growth of 18 to 25 m3 / ha / year, so the ecological benefits of these plantations compensate for longer waiting periods to reach maturity.
in new zealand
Several specimens can be found in the South Island of New Zealand, where a stand of trees can be seen in a public park in Picton, as well as a few places in Christchurch and Queenstown. It should be noted that the best place to see plantations of this species in this country is Rotorua, where more than six acres of California redwoods were planted in the early 1900s in the Redwood Memorial Grove, which is protected from logging. These trees can also be found near Lake Rotokakahi and in various other places in the forest.
Sequoia Tree Care
Although it is very rare to find a redwood in private gardens, and if you have one, it is important to know how to care for this type of tree. Therefore, the first thing to clarify is its location, since it is an evergreen tree that loves sunlight, although it can be kept in a slightly shaded place. But remember, it is a tree that grows large and therefore it is best to keep it away from structures such as multi-story houses, sidewalks and pipes.
The ideal for these trees is to grow them in a slightly acidic, fresh and deep soil. On the other hand, it is advisable to water it periodically, especially in summer. During the hottest season, it is watered 2-3 times a week, and the rest of the year 1 or 2 waterings per week. Using mainly rainwater or water that does not contain lime. In addition, the use of organic fertilizers is convenient, preferably in spring. When planting in containers, the ideal is to use those that are liquid because they facilitate the circulation of water.
Utility
The wood of grown specimens is very resistant to decay, but because it is stringy and brittle, it is generally not suitable for construction. Since the late 1924th century and the first XNUMX years of the XNUMXth century, logging has taken place in many forests for use in various minor constructions. The last large business to harvest closed in XNUMX. Due to their weight and fragility, the trees often snapped when they hit the ground, wasting much of the wood.
Loggers try to cushion the impact by digging trenches and filling them with branches. Even so, it is estimated that only 50% of the wood reached the sawmill from the forests. The wood was used primarily for roof tiles and fence posts, and even for matches. Images of once-majestic trees, now broken and abandoned in previously pristine forests, and the idea of giants placed in irrelevant buildings, sparked a public outcry that resulted in most of the forests being preserved as protected land.
Today, people can visit an example of the 1880 deforestation at Big Stump Grove, near General Grant Grove. Additionally, some immature trees were logged in the Sequoia National Forest in the 1980s, the notoriety of which helped create the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Immature tree wood is less brittle. Recent tests on plantation-grown seedlings showed similar quality to Coast Redwood.
It is important to point out that, although it is a protected species, in recent times its cultivation for commercial purposes on a smaller scale has been encouraged, given the potential of these trees as a plant to grow high yields both in California and in several other countries. Western European countries where they can be developed more efficiently than coastal redwoods. In turn, in the northwestern United States, some companies have begun growing giant sequoias for Christmas trees.
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