Toughest trees on Earth thrive in harsh landscapes. However, consider the implications of cultivating them in your personal yard.
Article: Extreme Trees and Their Presence in the UK
The world's trees are a testament to nature's resilience and adaptability, growing in some of the most inhospitable environments on Earth. Here, we explore three remarkable trees and their status in the UK.
The World's Highest Tree
Known as Hyperion, the world's highest tree stands tall at approximately 380 feet (116 m) in Redwood National Park, California, USA. This towering giant is a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). While coast redwoods are not native to the UK, they can be found cultivated in arboreta and large gardens, albeit not reaching their record heights due to climate limitations.
The World's Northernmost Tree
In the high Arctic tundra regions, the world's northernmost tree is typically recognised as the dwarf birch (Betula nana) or other Arctic tree line species. These hardy trees grow near or above 83°N latitude, in areas like northern Greenland and the northern coasts of Siberia. Despite their extreme location, coast redwoods are not commonly cultivated in the UK on a significant scale.
The World's Most Southerly Tree
Antarctica's sub-Antarctic islands host some of the world's most southerly trees, with hardy species like the Antarctic beech or Antarctic willow thriving. Like the Arctic tree line species, these trees are not typically cultivated in UK gardens or arboreta due to their extreme habitat requirements.
Trees from Further Afield in the UK
Two other species from extreme environments, the Magellan's beech (Nothofagus betuloides) and the Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), are available for cultivation in the UK. The Magellan's beech, native to Isla Hornos at the tip of South America, is a broadleaved evergreen that survives in a stormy, relatively mild climate. In contrast, the Dahurian larch, native to the Taimyr Peninsula in Russia, is a deciduous conifer that thrives in a continental climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers.
While the closely related Polylepis tarapacana is not in cultivation in the UK, Polylepis australis is, and it shares many of the attractive features of its relative. The most exposed Magellan's beech trees even survive by growing sideways rather than vertically.
In summary, while the world's highest, northernmost, and most southerly trees may not be found in the UK in their natural habitats, various species from these extreme environments can be found cultivated here, offering a glimpse into the incredible diversity of the world's trees.
- In the UK, coast redwoods, though non-native, can be found cultivated in arboreta and large home-and-garden settings.
- Despite the availability of species like the Magellan's beech and Dahurian larch, which originate from extreme environments, coast redwoods are not commonly cultivated in the UK on a significant scale.
- The UK provides an opportunity to cultivate various species from extreme environments, such as the Magellan's beech and Dahurian larch, providing a glimpse into the diverse world of trees.
- The lifestyle and home-and-garden enthusiasts in the UK can indulge in gardening by cultivating exotic trees from around the world that have adapted to survive in extreme environments.
