274 SEQUOIA WELLINGTONS. 



time it was introduced into British gardens by the Horticultural 

 Society of London through their collector Hartweg. 



Although a native of a somewhat warmer climate than that of (I re; it, 

 Britain, the Redwood in this country is a fast-growing tree of pyramidal 

 outline and dark Yew-like aspect. It has a tendency to commence 

 the season's growth early in spring, and to continue growing till late 

 in the autumn which renders it liable to injury by winter and spring- 

 frosts, by which the youngest part of the leader and terminal shoots 

 of the branches are sometimes destroyed ; the foliage is also frequently 

 discoloured or " browned " by the same agency, so that the Redwood 

 has not been regarded with so much favour as might be expected 

 from so remarkable a tree. It should, however, be included in every 

 collection of ornamental Conifers and planted in every park where it 

 can- be sheltered from cold piercing winds, and where a space with 

 a minimum radius of 30 to 40 feet can be allowed for it to develop 

 its fine proportions. A moist and well-drained soil is the best for it, 

 and as might be expected, it thrives well in the neighbourhood of the 

 sea coast in the south and south-west of England, in Wales and in Ireland.* 



Sequoia Wellingtonia. 



The largest of all coniferous trees f with a massive tapering trunk 

 rising to a height of 300 or more feet and with a diameter of 20 to 

 30 feet near the ground. The average height of the oldest trees now 

 standing is about 275 feet and the diameter near the ground about 

 20 feet, | the trunk enlarged at the base into broad rounded buttresses 

 and usually free of branches for one-half or more of the height, the 

 remainder somewhat scantily furnished with branches that are small in 

 proportion to the gigantic trunk from which they spring, and clothed 

 with foliage on their terminal branchlets only. Bark 20 30 inches 

 thick, of spongy texture and cinnamon-brown colour, the exposed part 

 separating into loose fibrous scales. In ' Great Britain the Wellingtonia 



* Among the many fine specimens of the Redwood scattered over Great Britain are those at 

 Dropmore, Linton Park, Tortworth Court, Eastnor Castle ; Bayfordbury and Essendon, Herts ; 

 Bowood, Wilts ; Orton Hall ; Penrhyn Castle ; Castle Menzies, Ochtertyre, Scone Palace, 

 Abercairney and Cultoquhey in Perthshire ; Fota Island, Cork ; Hamwood, Co. Meath ; 

 Charleville, Co. Wicklow ; Woodstock, Co. Kilkenny, etc. 



t The Wellingtonia is not only the largest coniferous tree, but it is also not surpassed 

 in size by trees belonging to any other Natural Order. Some of the Australian Eucalypti 

 have attained a greater height than any Wellingtonia at present standing, but the 

 diameter of their trunks is considerably less. Trunks of the Adansonia or African 

 Baobab tree have been observed with a greater diameter, but their height is not nearly 

 proportionate compared with the Wellingtonia. 



J Silva of North America, X. 145. The tallest living tree that has been measured 

 was found to be 325 feet high ; it is one of the " Three Sisters " standing in the 

 Calaveras Grove ; the other two also exceed 300 feet in height. The height of the 

 tallest measured Wellingtonia is therefore surpassed by that of the Redwood on Eel 

 River, see page 270. Nevertheless the average height of the Wellingtonia is recognised 

 by the best authorities to exceed the average height of the Redwood. Exceptional heights 

 attained by Wellingtonias that have been felled, or overthrown by storms in their extreme 

 old age have been estimated at 425, 363, 350, 325, 300 feet, etc. 



Very little difference can be detected between the barks of the oldest Wellingtonias and 

 Redwoods growing in Great Britain ; that of the Redwood is perhaps somewhat more 

 fibrous than the other. 



