Featuring giant redwood / giant sequoia. Verified occurrence recorded by Redwood World. One of the nicest examples of Wellingtonia can be found in the grounds of the church of Saint Michael in Framlingham. Just a short walk from the market square, this historic church holds many interesting features, including the ornate tombs of notable people going back through many centuries. The oldest is that of Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk. Thomas died in 1554, a year after the chancel was rebuilt. He was a rather fortunate man, since although in 1547 king Henry VIII had ordered that he was to be executed, the king died the night before the event was due and so Thomas managed to hang on to his head for another seven years. Coincidence? Perhaps not... The most notable feature of the church, however, is the Giant Redwood in the graveyard. This fine example has a nice shape, and although quite close to a Yew, is not cramped by the surrounding trees. If you are passing, and have time, I can recommend stopping for a pot of tea at the cafe in the market square, then a wander around the church and the tree, followed by a walk to the ruins of Framlingham castle. This tree added .18m (7inches) to its girth in four years, comparing the two measurements in 2004 and 2008
Visit information
- Access
- Open to public
- Last verified
- 10 Apr 2026
- Official site
- redwoodworld.co.uk/picturepages/framlingham.htm
Redwood species here
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 parts of their native range. Many Victorian-era plantings now rival mature specimens in California.
Present. 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
Field observations
Photos
-
Redwood at Framlingham - Saint Michael's Church
About this place
About Framlingham - Saint Michael's Church
Framlingham - Saint Michael's Church is located in Framlingham, Suffolk, 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 appears to be publicly accessible. Please check locally for current opening times and any admission charges.
Data sourced from Redwood World (redwoodworld.co.uk) and enriched by Redwood Finder.