The Conversation: “Giant redwood trees grow as fast in the U.K. as they do in their native range in California, according to a recent study. Interest in planting giant redwoods has grown in the U.K. due to their public appeal and ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

• Giant redwoods, the world’s largest tree, were introduced to the U.K. about 160 years ago and were first planted as a status symbol.
• The U.K. now hosts 500,000 giant redwoods, more than California, which has 80,000.
• Researchers studied 5,000 giant redwoods in the U.K. to assess their viability and carbon sequestration potential.
• Using 3D terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology, they found that the trees store less carbon than their larger counterparts in the U.S.
• The team noted that planting giant redwoods in the U.K. is unlikely to significantly impact atmospheric carbon dioxide levels but could contribute to diverse forest plantations.
• Giant redwoods pose a minimal threat to native British species because they do not reproduce in the country.”