Giant sequoias, the largest trees on Earth, are thriving in Britain, growing at a rate nearly equivalent to those in their native range in California, researchers announced on Wednesday.
Introduced to British country estates in the 19th century as a symbol of status, there are now an estimated half a million sequoias in the country, compared to 80,000 in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
While California’s specimens face threats from increasing wildfires and climate change-induced droughts, Britain’s giant sequoias are generally flourishing. A report by the Royal Society, Britain’s academy of sciences, highlighted this surprising development.
“In the UK, our climate is more temperate and wetter, which is actually likely better suited to these trees in the long run,” said Dr. Mathias Disney from University College London, one of the study’s authors.
The giant sequoias, capable of living for over 3,000 years, were originally brought to Britain around the 1800s. They were planted on the grounds of grand estates, becoming a Victorian-era symbol of wealth due to their rarity.
Dr. Disney noted that these trees grow rapidly, provide shade, and offer benefits such as absorbing carbon dioxide. However, it’s not yet fully understood how they impact native biodiversity.
“There are a surprising number of these trees in the UK, and they are doing very well in terms of their growth,” Disney told Reuters. “We shouldn’t take them for granted even if they are relatively recent introduced species.”
The success of giant sequoias in Britain raises intriguing possibilities for reforestation and conservation efforts worldwide. As climate change continues to affect ecosystems across the globe, understanding how species adapt to new environments is increasingly important.
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Giant sequoias, world's largest trees, thriving in UK, report shows
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