Extreme trees from around the globe thrive in the harshest environments. However, is it advisable to transplant these tough specimens into your own yard?
In the vast and diverse world of botany, some trees stand out for their unique characteristics, such as their height or location. Here, we explore three such trees and discuss their cultivation possibilities in the UK.
Firstly, the world's highest tree is not a tree native to the UK. The title belongs to the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), with Hyperion, a specific individual, reaching an impressive height of about 379.7 feet (115.7 meters) in Redwood National Park, California, USA [1]. Fortunately, Coast Redwoods are available and cultivated in the UK, with the UK boasting approximately half a million redwoods [2]. They were introduced mainly in Victorian times and grow well due to the UK’s mild, wet climate. The tallest redwood in the UK reaches about 58m and performs comparably to those in California.
The world's most northerly tree is typically the Arctic Willow (Salix arctica), a low-growing shrub/tree native to extreme northern Arctic tundra regions. However, exact named individual "most northerly tree" records aren't detailed in the search results. The Arctic Willow might be cultivated in specialized botanical collections or as alpine plants but is not common in typical UK gardens due to climate differences. No specific cultivation information was found in the search results.
The world's most southerly tree species grows in subantarctic regions, such as on the South American islands or New Zealand's Stewart Island. One such tree is the Southern Beech (Nothofagus spp.) and certain Podocarps found in southern latitude forests. These trees are rare or not typical for UK outdoor cultivation.
For those looking to make a statement in their garden, you could be the first person in your street to try growing the New Zealand Christmas Tree or pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa). However, it might struggle in a future climate. Under good conditions, Nothofagus betuloides can make a tree up to 25m tall, but the most exposed trees, at the actual southern limit, survive by growing sideways rather than vertically.
Lastly, the Polylepis tarapacana, an evergreen tree or shrub that reaches about 6 meters in height, is a part of the Rosaceae family. It has flaking red bark and furry stems and leaves. Unfortunately, it is not available for purchase in the UK, despite being the most garden-worthy of the trees mentioned. A suggested alternative is Polylepis australis. The home of Larix gmelinii experiences a mean January temperature of -32 °C and a mean July temperature of just 13 °C, making its cultivation in the UK challenging.
In summary, only the world's tallest tree species — Coast Redwood — is widely available and successfully cultivated in the UK [2]. The extreme northern and southern tree species are less likely to be commonly grown there due to climate constraints. If planting a tree, considering warmth-loving trees might be a good choice for a future climate.
[1] Redwood National Park
[2] The Woodland Trust
- The Coast Redwood, despite being the world's tallest tree, is available and cultivated in the UK, making it a popular choice for gardeners.
- The Arctic Willow, while not common in typical UK gardens due to climate differences, can be found in specialized botanical collections or as alpine plants.
- The Southern Beech and certain Podocarps, native to subantarctic regions, are not typically grown in UK outdoor gardens due to their habitat and climate requirements.
- For a unique addition to a garden, the New Zealand Christmas Tree or pohutukawa could be considered, though it may struggle in a future climate. On the other hand, Polylepis tarapacana, with its flaking red bark and furry stems, is not available for purchase in the UK, but Polylepis australis may serve as a suitable alternative.
