Blue gum trees at Cracroft House.
One of Christchurch’s most notable trees, a Giant Sequoia (or Wellingtonia) was planted by Christchurch pioneer Sir John Cracroft Wilson in the grounds of Cracroft House (owned now by The Girl Guides Association New Zealand Limited). He bought the tree from a Christchurch nursery who imported it from North America almost 150 years ago.
This Giant Sequoia is listed as a Heritage tree in the Christchurch City Plan. With a height of just 31 metres, it is a baby compared to ‘General Sherman’, a Giant Sequoia in America’s Sequoia National Park that stands 83.82 metres high – almost as high as a 20-storey building. Giant Sequoia can live up to 2500 to 3000 years.
It is not known for how long Wellingtonias planted in New Zealand will live. It seems the tree is not ideally suited to the Canterbury climate as many older trees are showing signs of top dieback.
Apart from two Sequoias, the grounds of Cracroft House also contain many other tree varieties including Tasmanian Blue gums, Oaks and various species of Cypress.
Vital statistics:
Height: 31 metres
Crown spread: 10 metres
Trunk diameter: 1.87 metres
