Mammutbaum Wellingtonia in Bad Gleichenberg

Mammoth tree struck by lightning On May 26, 2020, the spa town of Bad Gleichenberg lost a historic landmark: The mammoth tree in the town center was struck by lightning. The tree, under whose sprawling branches the giant nativity scene stood during Advent, was even equipped with lightning protection - unfortunately in vain. Only a part of the "Wellingtonia" remains. Giant sequoia from 1872 Austria's most famous giant sequoia (Latin: Sequoiadendron giganteum) stands in the middle of the 20-hectare spa park in Bad Gleichenberg. The seedling was a gift from Count d'Orsay to the Gleichenberger und Johannisbrunnen Aktienverein in 1872. By 1932, it had reached a height of 29 meters. Since then, cones have also been observed, but the seeds were not viable. Over the last approximately 150 years, the "Wellingtonia," as it is called by the residents of Bad Gleichenberg, has had to endure quite a bit. In 1895, the treetop in the upper third was lost due to a hurricane, and some branches had to be sacrificed due to winds and storms and snow loads. During the terrace fire of the Kurhaus in 1945, some branches were damaged, and in 1946, the branches that had previously rested on the ground - up to a height of five meters - were cut off by the English military. Over 70 years later, some branches are again resting on the ground. But why does the mammoth tree thrive so magnificently in Bad Gleichenberg? It is native to California. The favorable development is likely due to its free-standing position and the advantageous climate in Southeast Styria. The Wellingtonia stands at an altitude of around 300 meters in the upper part of the spa park. The soil consists of sandy loam, which retains water well. In 1940, the mammoth tree was placed under nature protection.

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• 01.01.2026 – 31.12.2026dailyopen all day