In Portland, we plant or give away hundreds of
giant sequoias each year. They are a proven "sure
bet" for a low maintenance tree that checks all the
boxes we look for when trying expand our urban
forest and the services it provides our residents: fast
growing, long-lived, evergreen, large, and tolerant
of our increasingly hot and dry summers. In addi-
tion, giant sequoias can handle poor urban soils. The
only problem we find is when people underestimate
how wide their buttresses can get—always make
sure they have lots of room to grow, and only the
widest spaces along streets would be suitable to
accommodate their eventual size. Sidewalks, fences,
and even foundations are no match for this species.
Giant sequoias are also fairly charismatic (for a
tree), and have a great story that can help engage
the public. Not only are they the largest tree
in the world by volume, but their thick spongy
bark, distinctive awl-shaped leaves, and perfectly
conical form (at least for the first few hundred
years!) are easy identifiers for a beginner. In areas
of Portland with older plantings, they resemble
giant green gothic church spires on the skyline,
or gnome hats, depending on the viewer.
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City of Eugene, Oregon staff get ready to climb one of the city's
tallest planted giant sequoias. Photo Courtesy City of Eugene
36 CityTREES
