Sequoiadendron giganteum 'PENDULUM'

Giant or Sierra redwood, sometimes concisely called the Big tree is truly a big tree. In fact, the biggest in the world ever measured. It comes from Sierra Nevada mountains in east California, USA, and all synonyms describing its giant size are in place. There is even a Wikipedia list of the largest living giant sequoias. They were all given names and two at its top have reached worldwide fame: General Sherman and General Grant. General Sherman tree is located in the Giant Forest Grove of Sequoia National Park, California, and according to data from 1997 it was 83.8m tall and 2300-2700 years old. Its ‘little’ brother nearby General Grant was ‘only’ some 1650 years old and 81.7m tall. However, historically the biggest tree was even 15-20% taller and was cut down in 1940’s, its name was Crannell Creek Giant.

Pendulum giant redwood is a true jewel in conifer collectors’ gardens. This picturesque version of originally the largest tree in the world is much smaller and usually extremely slender. It was found as a seedling selection by a nurseryman in Laland Nursery in Nantes, France, in 1863, and first described in detail, given a variety name by Élie-Abel Carrière in his book Traité Général des Conifères published in 1867.

The key feature is its pendulous habit which develops in older specimens (10 years or older) – the top curves sideways and begins to create … virtually anything you can possibly imagine: one (or exceptionally more) arching branches with veiling twigs, a bizarre spire, a fork with two or more prongs, an upside-down broom, or when really old a Nootka-cypress-like weeping habit. Got the picture? No? I won’t blame you.

Evergreen leaves are awl-shaped and pointed at tips, scale-like, grey-green to blue-green and densely covering its thread-like, weeping twigs. Those cover the trunk completely, making its attractive, reddish-brown, fissured bark almost invisible.

Pendulum giant redwood is usually grown as a vertical accent in the landscape, surrounded by mounding or rounded habits. It does not need pruning or trimming whatsoever but I can imagine that compulsive pruners as well as giant-bonsai makers will try to recreate it to their own image.

It loves sun and is easy to grow. In fact, once transplanted it does not need ANY maintenance at all apart from occasional watering during the first 1-2 years until it establishes. It will grow in most well-drained soil types. It makes thick roots which make the trunk stable during strong winds. It does not mind low temperatures; however, it dislikes significant temperature swings, especially in late winter without snow. A good help is an extra watering on a frost-free day before a freezing night. Its hardiness is commonly suggested to -27°C (USDA zone 5), but is expected to be a little better if the soil is covered with snow.

Last update 28-09-2021