Coastal redwood
Outside of California and Oregon, the coast sequoia or coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is also common in the coastal areas of humid Western Europe, provided it does not freeze for extended periods of time. This is not surprising, because long ago, the species was also found across Europe, but it died out during the ice ages. Today, it is found exceptionally in landscaped parks and botanical gardens in Belgium and the Netherlands. 
Did you know that the tallest living specimen in California has reached a height of 157 metres? The tree on the VUB campus is already over 25 metres tall and it still has a lot of growth potential. The species can reach an age of 2,000 years.
On the left a coastal redwood, on the right giant sequoias. Photo by Rebecca Lefevere.
Giant sequoias
To the right of the coastal redwood you will find two more giants of trees: giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum). This species is now only found in North America, but before the ice ages, it was found in Western Europe too. These trees do not grow as tall as the coastal redwood, but they are much more massive and heavy, with a circumference of more than 30 metres and a height of 95 metres. This species is therefore considered to be the heaviest tree in the world.
Feel the trunk and compare it with other tree species in the area. You will notice that the bark is particularly soft and fibrous. This ensures that these trees can survive forest fires more easily in the wild as the fibrous bark protects the living tissue beneath from the fire.
More than just a collection of trees
In total, there are more than 60 different species of trees and shrubs in the VUB park - quite an exceptional collection for a park. That is why it is also used for educational purposes. Biologists, bio-engineers and geographers come here to learn how to recognise the most important trees and shrubs as part of their studies. The park is the perfect spot to brush up on their knowledge.
