Sequoiadendron giganteum
Sequoia
Taxodiaceae family
Origins: North America
Leaf: pointy and scaly

We call it Big Tree in North America. It is one of the giants of the plant kingdom with the diameter of its trunk and its height. The giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) originates in North America (California) and can be over 100m high in its natural habitat and live over 3000 years.

Our sequoia is still quite small compared to its American cousins. One of those particularly stands out: located in a Californian park and nicknamed "General Sherman", it has a circumference of 31,3 metres, a height of 83,8 metres and a weight over 2,000 tons. With one unique trunk with a volume of over 14000m3, it is the most imposing tree in the world in terms of volume.

Try to touch the bark of the sequoia tree, it has a remarkable distinctive feature. Almost spongy, it covers the trunk but also the base of the large branches. It is a true natural barrier against wildfires, protecting the tree and keeping its core from burning down.

Le sequoia à travers les saisons

Partez à la rencontre des arbres de la Citadelle à travers les mois de l'année : c'est un parc métamorphosé que vous retrouverez à chaque saison.

Sequoia en hiver (© Daniel Rapaich / DICOM / Ville de Lille)
Sequoia en hiver (© Daniel Rapaich / DICOM / Ville de Lille)
Sequoia en hiver (© Daniel Rapaich / DICOM / Ville de Lille)

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