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Dryad

Data for: UK redwoods terrestrial laser scanner point clouds

Data files

May 15, 2023 version files 5.03 GB

Abstract

Giant redwoods (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are some of the UK’s largest trees, despite only being introduced in the mid-19th century. Given recent interest in planting redwoods in the UK, partly due to their carbon sequestration potential and also their undoubted public appeal, an understanding of their viability is important. However, little or no research has been conducted to quantitatively estimate their carbon uptake in UK conditions. We used 3D terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to make detailed structure measurements of individual S. giganteum  trees at three sites, to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) and annual biomass accumulation rates. We show that UK-grown S. giganteum can sequester carbon at a rate of 80 - 100 kg C year-1, varying with climate, management and age. This accumulation rate is 2.5 and 20 times faster than commonly-grown UK plantation tree species. We develop new UK-specific allometric models for S. giganteumwhich fit observed AGB with r2 > 0.93 and bias < 2% and can be used to estimate S. giganteum AGB more generally. S. giganteum appears to represent a small but potentially important addition to the UK’s carbon sequestration efforts and this work provides a baseline for estimating their longer term AGB and carbon sequestration capacity.