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Three massive redwood trees stand tall above the Elizabethan mansion at Wakehurst, resembling modern-day skyscrapers. Despite their impressive height of 40 meters (131 feet), these trees are relatively young at just 150 years old and are already nearly twice as tall as Cleopatra’s Needle.

The trees at present are among the tallest in the United Kingdom, and they are beginning to emerge out of the forest canopy. However, if they reach their full size, they will stand three times taller than the average tree. This was stated by Dr. Phil Wilkes, a member of the research team at Wakehurst, located in West Sussex, which is a branch of Kew Gardens. One or two of these trees from California may be seen as oddities, such as the 100-meter tall redwood that had its bark removed in 1854 and was put on display for Victorian audiences at the Crystal Palace in south-east London. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a fire in 1866.

However, the UK does not only have a small number of redwoods. In fact, Wakehurst has a much larger number than just three. The Victorians were very fascinated with these trees and brought over many seeds and seedlings from the US, resulting in approximately 500,000 redwoods now thriving in Britain. In comparison, California has around 80,000 giant sequoias (officially known as giant redwoods), as well as coastal redwoods and a small number of imported ornamental dawn redwoods from China.

After Wilkes and other researchers from Kew and University College London shared their findings last week, there was a surge of interest and visitors at Wakehurst’s gardens have been discussing it extensively.

According to Wilkes, individuals are concerned that they may be considered an intrusive species, but there is little indication that they have a harmful impact. There is no proof that they reproduce on their own.

The reason for this may be due to the fact that they are young and not yet capable of reproducing – redwood trees can live for up to 3,000 years – or because their cones typically only open in the intense heat of a forest fire. This suggests that each tree in the UK was most likely intentionally planted. Additionally, this clarifies how a large number of these giant trees have remained hidden in plain view.

Wilkes states that the redwoods were highly valued objects. They were frequently used to line the driveways of manor houses. Despite the fact that these houses have either been destroyed or taken down, the redwoods remain.

Enthusiasts of redwood trees have documented various places where these trees can be found, ranging from private gardens to public parks and neighborhoods where residential homes have been constructed around them. However, as the redwoods have flourished, concerns of conflict have also arisen. For example, in Canons Drive, located in Edgware, north London, there is a dispute between residents and insurance companies over the preservation of a row of giant sequoia trees. The insurance companies are worried about the potential damage to houses caused by the trees’ expanding root systems.

At Wakehurst, there are no worries as the grounds have multiple areas with redwood trees that are organized based on their continent of origin. This allows visitors to stroll through Australian gum trees before descending into a valley with North American plants and trees.

In the redwood glade, sprinkled with sunlight and rain and birdsong, Wilkes’s semi-permanent smile turns into a beam. “The feeling of being in a forest, anywhere in the world, is just second to none,” he says. His work involves using satellite data and Lidar – light detection and radar – to create 3D laser images of trees, a way to measure the size and mass of trees more precisely than the traditional method of measuring their trunks’ circumferences.

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Exploring the vast forests brings you into a whole new world, away from the usual paths. The experience is entrancing and fulfilling, as it offers a complex environment to navigate.

Trees have an enduring appeal to people. Last year, researchers at Derby University found that people value trees more highly than their neighbours, while forest bathing – a western interpretation of the Japanese practice of relaxation known as shinrin-yoku – has grown in popularity.

Perhaps the unique appeal of the redwoods is their scale; the oldest of them existing before the English language and the tallest of them, at 115 metres, higher than St Paul’s Cathedral. And possibly they would have been felled, like most of England’s forests, had they been discovered by the Elizabethans who built Wakehurst and believed the task of man, as the historian Keith Thomas put it, was to “level the woods, till the soil, drive off the predators, kill the vermin, plough up the bracken and drain the fens”.

In the present day, which is more environmentally aware, Wilkes highlights a concern that the urgency to address the climate crisis may result in impulsive decisions.

“Redwood plantations are being established in Wales as a means of offsetting carbon emissions. Is it ethical to create a redwood plantation in the Brecon Beacons [Bannau Brycheiniog]?”

He is dubious, saying native broadleaf woodland has many more benefits than just as a carbon store.

According to the speaker, although urban trees may not be recognized for their worth, they possess significant value. While carbon may be used to assign a monetary value to them, it is not their most noteworthy contribution. They also help cool cities, prevent floods, impact health, and promote biodiversity. It should not be seen as a way to offset carbon emissions, as the key solution to reducing carbon lies in decarbonisation.

The uncertainly standing behemoths of California

For countless centuries, the tallest trees in the world have adorned the peaks and coastlines of California, persisting through countless changes. The magnificent redwoods, which initially sprouted in groves along the Sierra Nevada mountain range, are not only breathtaking but also incredibly resilient.

In the last 100 years, the landscapes have undergone significant changes, leading to damage in the forests. Along with the impact of the climate emergency, severe droughts and high temperatures have caused additional challenges for redwoods, especially the renowned giant sequoias. These trees are now struggling to recover from large wildfires.

One of the main issues can be traced back to California’s gold rush period, when people arrived in search

The loss of strong, old trees has left forests vulnerable to a destructive pattern: trees that die provide more fuel for deadly fires. Native bark beetles are also causing harm to already weakened trees, as they consume the soft inner bark until the trees fall. Experts believe that about 20% of California’s remaining giant sequoias have perished in recent times as a result of these circumstances, including a fierce wildfire in 2020 that destroyed up to 10,000 fully grown trees.

Several initiatives are being implemented in California to safeguard them, as various government bodies, states, and indigenous groups collaborate to reintroduce beneficial fires to the area and replenish devastated environments with fresh vegetation. However, the increasing effects of global warming pose ongoing challenges and efforts to reduce its impact are struggling to keep up.

The trees not only contribute to California’s beautiful landscape, but they also play a crucial role in preserving the health of ecosystems. By absorbing carbon dioxide, providing relief during heat waves, and serving as vital habitats for other forest creatures, they are an essential part of the environment. If these trees were to vanish, the entire landscape would be permanently altered, affecting the plants, animals, and people who rely on them.

Gabrielle Canon, San Francisco

Source: theguardian.com