Planting 100,000 Giant Sequoias in the UK

Last October, we traveled to Wales to meet a man planting 100,000 Giant Sequoia trees across the UK.

Henry’s mission started when he researched planting trees for his children. He discovered that one Giant Sequoia can store more carbon than the lifetime emissions of the average Brit.

Unlike other trees, Giant Sequoias never stop growing. They can live for over 3,000 years, capturing massive amounts of carbon throughout their lifetime.

The species is currently at risk. Over 95% of Giant Sequoias have already been cut down, and those that remain are under threat from wildfires and droughts in their native California habitat.

Henry founded The Great Reserve. They’re buying up previously felled conifer plantations—zero-biodiversity zones—and transforming them. Giant Sequoias are planted alongside native trees, dramatically improving the ecosystem.

Unlike other non-native species, Sequoias can’t spread within the UK. Their seeds require wildfires to germinate—fires that don’t happen here—meaning they’re non-invasive.

A giant sequoia planted today could live as far into the future as the roman empire is in the past. Learn more about the project in the comments below.

The Great Reserve are planting a UK forest network of 100,000 Giant Sequoias, a climate safe-haven for the trees and a legacy for future generations. Check out their work at The Great Reserve