The park was originally founded as a commercial tree nursery before becoming a botanical research project.
Some of the giant sequoias in the farm have been growing in this location for over 75 years.
It is one of the few places in Central Europe where you can find mature specimens of all three sequoia species growing together.
The site was historically used to investigate whether American redwoods could be sustainably grown for timber in Germany.
The farm is situated directly on the border, with parts of the surrounding woods extending into the Netherlands.
It survived as a private project for decades before being transitioned to a community-supported landmark.
The Kaldenkirchen Sequoia Farm is a specialized arboretum located on the German-Dutch border, housing one of Germany's most significant collections of giant sequoias. Established in 1947 by Ernst and Ilse Lommatzsch, the site served as an experimental forest nursery for non-native conifer species. The park contains specimens of Sequoiadendron giganteum, Sequoia sempervirens, and Metasequoia glyptostroboides. It covers approximately 3.5 hectares of forested land within the Grenzwald nature area. The collection includes trees planted shortly after the Second World War to test the suitability of North American conifers in the German climate. The area functions as a research facility and a public recreational space managed by a local support association. Visitors can walk through specialized groves that differ significantly from the surrounding native European woodland. The farm maintains several walking paths that weave between the massive trunks of the mature sequoia specimens.
The central grove featuring the oldest, tallest giant sequoias provides the best perspective for capturing the scale of the trees.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear as the paths are composed of natural forest soil and may be uneven or muddy after rain.
Bring mosquito repellent during warmer months as the dense, humid forest environment attracts insects.
Check the official website for information on guided tours, which are the best way to understand the history of specific tree specimens.
Do not attempt to access the park by car through narrow forest service roads not designated for public traffic.
Open year-round, but specific sections may occasionally close for forestry maintenance.
Stay on marked paths to protect the sensitive root systems of the giant sequoias; refrain from climbing on or carving into the trees.
