Wellingtonia (sequoiadendron giganteum) is a familiar tree in parks, large gardens and private estates throughout Britain. The dark green spire of foliage reaches skywards and stands well above all the other trees around it.  Lower branches tend to become gracefully down-swept until, on reaching the ground, they take root and begin to shoot upwards again. The soft bark is fibrous and thick, sometimes over 20cm on mature trees. It is rusty-red which gives the tree its American name of 'giant redwood'. In Britain numerous specimens have greater stem girth than veteran oaks and chestnuts ten times their age. In any landscape Wellingtonia (sequoiadendron giganteum) is certain to become a landmark wherever it is planted. Care must be taken to place it the right way. Redwood groves are pleasing to establish, but they also stand out on the horizon from a long way off. This species can tolerate up to -17¡C in Britain and most soil types. There's a preference for the north and west where the oldest planted trees are still growing strongly upwards. In the south and east most old trees now have rounded tops and little upward progress is being made.