Sequoiadendron giganteum

Sequoiadendron giganteum - Giant Redwood

General:
The giant redwood is also called in german mountain sequoia or wellingtonia. It is a very imposing large tree that is native to western North America. It grows here together with other conifer species in the high mountains of the "Sierra Nevada" in various isolated stands and is unfortunately one of the species threatened with extinction. The special feature of the giant redwood tree is its size and its enormous growth in thickness. In its homeland, individual specimens reach heights of over 80 meters and develop trunk diameters of up to 9 meters. The noticeably broadened trunk base and the very thick and fibrous bark as protection against forest fires are also typical. The trunk is otherwise straight and continuous to the tip. The crown is conical in the youth and later rather loose and expansive. The blue-green leaves are pointed like scales and are close together.
Giant redwood trees are very old and can be admired in the various national parks. A famous giant sequoia, for example, is the "General Sherman". It is located in Sequoia National Park in California and is considered the most powerful living tree in the world.
Giant redwoods are sometimes confused with the even taller Sequoia sempervirens or the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides).

Care as a bonsai:
A giant redwood is certainly designed in the strictly upright form. This corresponds to its natural models in nature. Due to the coarser needles, a larger bonsai format should be sought, so that the relation between trunk and foliage is convincing. In old age, a significantly broadened trunk base also forms in a bonsai. This gives the tree a special expressiveness. The growth of the giant redwood tree is strong and is somewhat reminiscent of the Cryptomeria japonica. When the tree has developed its basic shape, the shoots of the individual branches should be shortened (plucked) early and regularly thinned out. The giant redwood also has strong roots and should be repotted regularly before the substrate becomes too compact. As with other evergreen conifers, repotting can be done in late summer. The giant redwood tree prefers a sunny location and should be sufficiently watered. However, waterlogging should be avoided. In winter, the plant should ideally be frost-free and be protected from late frosts in spring.