Giant sequoia tree native to North America found in Littleborough

Nigel, City of Trees Field Surveyor with Littleborough's giant sequoia

A giant sequoia tree native to North America has been found in Littleborough.

The discovery was made by City of Trees, who were studying trees in the borough, as part of the ‘All Our Trees’ research project about the Greater Manchester region’s trees and woods.

The giant sequoia was found close to Greenhalgh Farm near Higher Chelburn Reservior, measuring 8.4 metres tall with a diameter of 33cm.

Under optimal conditions, the diameter will increase by one inch every year in the wild, meaning that Littleborough’s very own sequoia is at least 13 years old.

However, as the conditions aren’t ideal, the tree is more likely to be aged around 20-years-old, but could be older.

Primarily found in California, Giant Sequoias are among the oldest living things on Earth and are the world's largest single trees, growing to an average height of 50–85m (164–279 ft) with a diameter of 6–8m (20–26 ft).

According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the oldest known sequoia is 3,300 years old.

‘All Our Trees’ is one of the most ambitious research projects of its kind in the UK due to the huge area that is planned to be surveyed.

The data will be used to both identify more land for planting as well as protect existing trees and woods, plus aiding the ambitious plans for a new Northern Forest.