Are you fascinated by the towering giants known as redwoods, but think you need to travel to California to see them?
Think again!
We’re journeying beyond the borders of California to discover the surprising places around the world where redwoods have taken root.
From the lush gardens of Europe to the diverse landscapes of Australia and New Zealand, these majestic trees have spread their branches far and wide.
Get ready to explore the unexpected homes of redwoods!
Table of Contents
United Kingdom:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London, England):
Kew Gardens is home to several redwoods, including both giant sequoias and coastal redwoods.
These trees are part of the garden’s extensive collection of temperate plants from around the world.
Wakehurst (West Sussex, England):
Managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst features a diverse collection of plants, including redwoods, in its beautifully landscaped gardens and woodlands.
Benmore Botanic Garden (Argyll, Scotland):
This garden is known for its collection of giant redwoods, part of the rich diversity of plants from temperate regions like the Americas and Asia.
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest (Kent, England):
Bedgebury is one of the leading collections of conifers in the world, and its collection includes redwoods.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum (Gloucestershire, England):
Home to a remarkable collection of trees and shrubs, including redwoods, Westonbirt is an important location for the study and conservation of tree species.
Various Parks and Estates:
Many other parks and private estates across the UK have redwoods, often planted during the Victorian era when there was a fascination with American flora.
These trees can be found in regions ranging from Scotland to the southern parts of England.
Some examples include Chatsworth House and Darley Park both of which are in Derbyshire.
The website Redwood World is good for finding Redwood locations in the UK.
Ireland:
Powerscourt Gardens (County Wicklow):
This renowned historic estate features beautiful gardens with a variety of tree species, including redwoods.
The estate’s setting against the backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains adds to the scenic beauty.
National Botanic Gardens (Glasnevin, Dublin):
These gardens host a range of plant species, including redwoods, within their extensive collection.
The gardens serve both as a public amenity and a center for botanical research and conservation.
Birr Castle Demesne (County Offaly):
Known for its historic castle and beautifully landscaped gardens, Birr Castle Demesne includes redwoods among its diverse collection of trees.
Fota Arboretum and Gardens (County Cork):
Situated on an island in Cork Harbour, Fota Arboretum boasts a varied collection of trees and shrubs, including redwoods, in a picturesque setting.
Kylemore Abbey (County Galway):
The Victorian Walled Garden at Kylemore Abbey features a range of plant species, and the estate’s grounds are home to redwoods, adding to the historic charm of this location.
Mount Stewart (County Down, Northern Ireland):
This historic house and garden in Northern Ireland, managed by the National Trust, includes redwoods in its renowned gardens.
France:
Domaine de Courson (Île-de-France Region):
This historic estate is known for its remarkable gardens and park, which include a collection of trees from around the world, among them the giant sequoias.
Parc Floral de Paris (Paris):
A major public park and garden in the city, Parc Floral de Paris hosts a variety of plant species, including redwoods, and serves as a beautiful urban retreat.
Arboretum de la Vallée-aux-Loups (Île-de-France Region):
This arboretum features a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including several impressive redwoods, in a picturesque setting.
Arboretum de Chèvreloup (near Versailles):
Adjacent to the Palace of Versailles, this arboretum is one of the largest in Europe and includes redwoods among its extensive collection of trees.
Jardin des Plantes (Montpellier):
One of France’s oldest botanical gardens, it includes a range of tree species, with redwoods contributing to its diverse botanical collection.
Bois de Vincennes (Paris):
This large public park on the eastern edge of Paris includes a variety of tree species, among them redwoods, providing a natural escape in the urban landscape.
Germany:
Munich Botanical Garden (Munich, Bavaria):
This large botanical garden hosts a wide range of plant species from around the world, including redwoods. It’s a place of both scientific study and public enjoyment.
Kaldenkirchen Sequoia Farm (Nettetal)
In 1952 the founders of this place started cultivating 1500 giant sequoia to find out if they could reintroduce the plant back to Germany where it previously existed before the ice age.
The place is now open to the public on Sundays and Holidays between April and October.
Botanical Garden of the University of Würzburg (Würzburg, Bavaria):
The garden has a variety of plant collections, including redwoods, and serves as a center for botanical research and education.
Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden (Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg):
Wilhelma, combining a zoo and botanical garden, features redwoods among its extensive plant collection, offering visitors a glimpse of these American giants.
Botanical Garden of the University of Göttingen (Göttingen, Lower Saxony):
This historic garden, dating back to the 18th century, includes redwoods in its collection of over 12,000 plant species.
Ega Park (Erfurt, Thuringia):
A large recreational and botanical park in Erfurt, Ega Park includes redwoods within its diverse array of plant life.
Killesberg Park (Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg):
This urban park, known for its beautiful landscape design, includes redwoods among its varied plant species.
Italy:
Villa Taranto (Verbania, near Lake Maggiore):
This botanical garden is famous for its diverse collection of plants from around the world, including redwoods.
The garden’s picturesque setting by Lake Maggiore enhances the beauty of these trees.
Orto Botanico di Padova (Padua, Veneto):
The world’s oldest academic botanical garden, founded in 1545, includes redwoods among its extensive plant collection.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a center of scientific research.
Giardino Botanico Alpinia (Stresa, Piedmont):
Located near Lake Maggiore, this alpine botanical garden offers a view of a variety of mountain plant species, including redwoods.
Giardino Bardini (Florence, Tuscany):
This historic garden, with its panoramic views of Florence, includes redwoods among its diverse array of trees and shrubs.
Parco della Villa Reale di Monza (Monza, Lombardy):
The park of the Royal Villa of Monza, one of the largest enclosed parks in Europe, features redwoods within its rich collection of plant species.
New Zealand:
Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest (Rotorua, North Island):
This forest is perhaps the most famous location for redwoods in New Zealand. Planted in the early 20th century, it now hosts a magnificent stand of towering redwoods, offering a unique walking and mountain biking experience.
Whakarewarewa Thermal Village (Rotorua, North Island):
Near the Redwoods Forest, this living Maori village is surrounded by beautiful redwood trees, adding to the cultural and natural experience.
Trek Redwoods (Nelson, South Island):
This area on the South Island has redwood plantations that have been thriving for decades, offering another example of these trees’ adaptation to New Zealand’s environment.
Wellington Botanic Garden (Wellington, North Island):
The garden includes a variety of native and exotic plants, with redwoods being part of its diverse collection.
Hokitika (West Coast, South Island):
This town has several redwoods that were planted in the early 20th century, demonstrating the tree’s adaptability to different regions of New Zealand.
Australia:
Dandenong Ranges (Victoria):
The Dandenong Ranges, near Melbourne, are home to beautiful forests, including areas where redwoods have been planted. These trees add a unique aspect to the lush, green landscapes of the ranges.
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden (New South Wales):
Located near Sydney, this garden in the Blue Mountains is known for its collection of cool-climate plants, including redwoods.
Warburton Redwood Forest (Victoria):
This forest, located in the Yarra Valley near the town of Warburton, features a plantation of California redwoods, which have grown impressively tall and create a unique and serene environment.
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden (South Australia):
Situated in the Adelaide Hills, this garden features a variety of plant species from around the world, including redwoods.
Tasmanian Arboretum (Tasmania):
The Tasmanian Arboretum hosts a range of both native and exotic tree species, with redwoods being part of its collection.
Chile:
Valdivia Region:
The coastal region of Valdivia, known for its wet, temperate rainforest climate, is suitable for redwoods.
The area has seen the successful growth of these trees, which have been planted in various locations, including parks and private estates.
University of Concepción (Concepción):
The campus of this university is known for its diverse collection of trees, including redwoods, which add to the aesthetic and ecological diversity of the campus.
Parque Saval (Valdivia):
This urban park in Valdivia is known for its botanical garden, which includes a variety of tree species, among them redwoods, contributing to the park’s serene and natural environment.
Private Forest Reserves:
In addition to public spaces, redwoods have been planted in private forest reserves and estates in the southern regions of Chile, where the climate is more suitable for their growth.
Portugal:
Sintra Region:
Sintra, known for its lush, green landscapes and historical estates, has several locations where redwoods have been planted. These trees add to the area’s already rich botanical diversity.
Parque da Pena (Sintra):
This park, part of the Pena Palace estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features a variety of exotic trees, including redwoods, set amidst romantic architecture and stunning landscapes.
Tapada das Necessidades (Lisbon):
This historic park in Lisbon includes a diverse collection of plant species, with redwoods among them, offering a tranquil retreat in the city.
Serralves Park (Porto):
The gardens of the Serralves Foundation in Porto include redwoods, adding to the modern art museum’s appeal as a cultural and natural destination.
University of Coimbra Botanical Garden (Coimbra):
One of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens, it hosts a wide range of plant species, including redwoods, in its extensive collection.