Featuring coast redwood and dawn redwood. Verified occurrence recorded by Redwood World. Marks Hall Estate at Coggeshall boasts a fine example of Giant Redwood. A short hill climb close to the entrance is rewarded with the sight of this terrific tree. Not the tidiest of form, though, but it does have branches almost to the ground - including a rather unusual very thick branch a metre or so from the base. A sturdy tree, well suited to withstanding the winter gales which must tear up the hill in this exposed spot. There is a really nice walk around landscaped gardens, lake, and wooded areas so if you are passing this way with a few hour to spare do yourself a favour - take time to have a wander. Thanks to Matthew who had a chat with the arborists at Marks Hall in Coggeshall. They informed him that "Apparently the tree was struck by lightning around 20 years ago, resulting in a loss of around a third of its height (approximately) and a somewhat untidy appearance. Taking this into consideration makes this tree seem like a bit of a veteran! Around the estate there are also at least 10 Dawn redwoods, including some planted within years of the species' arrival in the UK, making them presumably quite developed specimens. There are also some newer trees along the 'Millenium Walk'. I also hear that a Coast Redwood has been planted somewhere in the arboretum. I suppose I shall have to find it!" Thanks Matthew, I didn't realise there were so many Redwoods at Marks Hall and I will have to pay another visit sometime soon to beat you to that Coast Redwood!
Visit information
- Access
- Restricted access
- Last verified
- 10 Apr 2026
- Official site
- redwoodworld.co.uk/picturepages/coggeshall.htm
Redwood species here
Native to the fog belt of coastal California and Oregon, coast redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth. In Britain they thrive where rainfall, humidity, and sheltered woodland conditions echo their native range, forming narrow, soaring avenues and groves with reddish fibrous bark and flat fern-like foliage.
Present. The tallest trees on Earth, coast redwoods can exceed 100 metres in their native California. Less common in Britain than giant sequoias, they prefer sheltered, moist locations and can still reach impr
Dawn redwood is a deciduous redwood from China, known from fossils before living trees were documented in the 1940s. It reached British collections soon afterwards and is now found in parks, botanic gardens, and arboreta, where its soft summer foliage and rusty autumn colour make it distinct from evergreen giant sequoias and coast redwoods.
Present. A deciduous conifer thought to be extinct until rediscovered in a remote Chinese province in 1941. Seeds were distributed to botanical gardens worldwide in the late 1940s. Unlike its evergreen relativ
Field observations
Photos
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Redwood at Coggeshall - Marks Hall Estate
About this place
About Coggeshall - Marks Hall Estate
Coggeshall - Marks Hall Estate is located in Coggeshall, Essex, England.
Species Present
Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
Native to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, giant sequoias were introduced to Britain in the 1850s during the Victorian plant-collecting era. They are the world's most massive trees by volume and have thrived in the UK's mild, wet climate, often growing faster than in their native range. Many Victorian-era plantings now rival mature specimens in California.
Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
The tallest trees on Earth, coast redwoods can exceed 100 metres in their native California. Less common in Britain than giant sequoias, they prefer sheltered, moist locations and can still reach impressive heights in the UK. The tallest known coast redwood in Britain is over 50 metres.
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
A deciduous conifer thought to be extinct until rediscovered in a remote Chinese province in 1941. Seeds were distributed to botanical gardens worldwide in the late 1940s. Unlike its evergreen relatives, the dawn redwood loses its needles in winter, turning a striking copper-bronze in autumn.
Access
This location may have restricted access. Please check with the property before visiting.
Data sourced from Redwood World (redwoodworld.co.uk) and enriched by Redwood Finder.