Months of struggle to save the two giant sequoias in St David’s Park are over, after it was determined they are beyond saving.
The two trees first showed signs of decline in autumn 2025.
Yellowing needles on the giant sequoia closest to Davey Street were the first indication at least one of the trees were in trouble.
Since then, and despite our best efforts, both trees have gone into terminal decline, and will be removed from St David’s Park in April.
Pride of place
When they were planted in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the giant sequoias were dwarfed by the rotunda, which has pride of place in St David’s Park.
Eighty-nine years later the sequoias now tower over that rotunda, and most of the other trees in the park.
Their loss will be deeply felt by the many generations of Hobartians who have fallen in love with these trees. Children have delighted in their strong, broad limbs, and so many of us have developed a deep connection with these forest giants.
The two giant sequoias in St David's Park, early 20th century.
Largest on earth
Giant sequoias are the largest trees on Earth. In their natural habitat they can live for more than 3000 years.
Their natural home is California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, but they are grown across the world.
The giant sequoias in St David’s Park are listed on the National Trust and are of state significance.
In their 89 years in the park they have become city giants – both stand more than 30 metres tall and are over 8.5 metres in circumference.
Beneath the canopy of the two giant sequoias in St David's Park.New life from old
The loss of these trees will leave a hole in the landscape, but St David’s Park is and will remain one of our Hobart’s most important and loved parks.
Plans are now in place to replace the two lost trees with much younger giant sequoias, which will put down roots in a ceremonial planting as part of this year’s celebrations for the centenary of St David’s Park.
Our arborist team will carry out the sad work of taking down the two dead sequoias and storing the timber to be cured.
We are working on a number of projects to thoughtfully re-purpose the wood of these giant trees, such as our waterfront interpretation project.
We have been moved by the deep care and memories shared by the community reaching out to our teams about these trees.
We have also heard ideas from local artists and craftspeople about how this wood could be used.
An Expression of Interest process will be released to allow the timber from the giant sequoias to be used for the benefit of the community.
To stay up-to-date on our plans visit our project web page and make sure you have subscribed to Hobart News.