Giant Redwoods Thriving in Unexpected Place
The world’s largest trees, giant redwoods, are flourishing in an unexpected location – the United Kingdom. New research has found that some of the giant redwoods planted in the UK over the last 150 years have grown larger than any recorded in their native California.
Over the past century and a half, several giant redwood trees were planted in the UK as ornamental plants. Botanists have recently measured some of these trees. And found they have grown even taller than the tallest trees in Redwood National Park, their natural home in California. At over 115 feet, one giant redwood in Cornwall is the tallest ever recorded outside of North America.
Thriving in a New Environment
The success of these giant redwoods in the UK is remarkable given that the climate and soil are very different from their native range. Redwood forests only exist naturally along the coast of California, where cool, moist conditions prevail. However, the mild, wet climate in parts of the UK has allowed these trees to thrive. Their ability to adapt to a new environment shows they are more resilient than previously thought.
The largest giant redwood ever measured is believed to be over 370 feet tall and over 2,000 years old. To find trees growing outside of California that surpass even the oldest, largest trees there is astonishing. Botanists hope this discovery will lead to better understanding of how these giant redwoods can be preserved long-term in the face of climate change threats to their native forests. The UK trees show the species’ remarkable ability to adapt if given the chance.
