Sequoia sempervirens is a fast-growing, very large evergreen tree forming a narrowly conical crown, with fibrous, red-brown bark. Leaves 1 to 2 cm, two-ranked, dark green above, whitish beneath. Cones globose, 2 to 3 cm.

Wellingtonia can appear similar from a distance, and also has spongy bark, but foliage is very different

Thick spongy bark.  Although leaves are arranged spirally, they appear to be in 2 ranks, and flattened. 

Photo of whole tree if possible, and individual branchlets and cones

Usually planted.

All year round.

Widespread as a planted tree in Britain.

Rare or rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland. It was not recorded in the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire.