IMAGE: Giant Sequoia Archangel planted in Detroit in 2024

This Earth Day, something unprecedented will rise in the heart of Detroit’s Poletown East neighborhood: a forest of ancient giants, reborn.

Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (AATA) and Arboretum Detroit are planting an old-growth Giant Sequoia Forest, the first of its kind in an urban setting. These aren’t just any trees; they are living legends, their genetic lineage stretching back nearly 3,000 years to some of Earth’s largest, oldest, and most resilient trees. Towering almost 300’ tall, these magnificent Sequoias are direct descendants of the “Stagg” and “Waterfall” trees, two of the world’s largest Giant Sequoias. With 30-foot diameter trunks as wide as city streets and life spans measured in millennia, these giants will transform one of America’s most deforested cities into a global model for environmental resilience and urban rewilding.

A Bold Vision for the Future

“This isn’t just reforestation—it’s a revolution,” said David Milarch, co-founder of AATA. “We’re not just planting trees. We’re introducing the most powerful environmental filtering organisms on the planet into a city that needs them. This project proves we can rebuild ancient forests and a better future even in the most unexpected places.”

A Living Classroom: Propagate the Propagators

Beyond tree planting, AATA and Arboretum Detroit are launching Detroit’s first-ever ‘Tree School,’ a hands-on learning experience where students and community members become the next generation of tree guardians. They will learn cutting-edge propagation techniques, urban forestry skills, and the science behind resilient ecosystems, empowering Detroit to take ownership and become a leader in next-level reforestation.

Be a Hero for the Trees

Why Detroit? Why Now?

Detroit’s children suffer from one of the highest asthma rates in the country; nearly 15% are diagnosed, while countless others struggle with undiagnosed symptoms caused by pollution and lack of tree cover. Studies show that urban forests dramatically reduce air pollution, lower temperatures, and improve public health. By planting these extraordinary trees, this project is directly combating our most pressing environmental challenges while creating a greener, healthier future for Detroit’s next generations.

Jesse next to Giant Sequoia planted in Detroit in 2024

What Makes This Forest Unlike Any Other?

• Ancient Tree Genetics: These trees have survived fire, drought, and environmental shifts for thousands of years. Their DNA may hold keys to resilience.
• Old-Growth, Not Just Reforestation: While most tree plantings focus on fast-growing species that last decades, this forest is built to last centuries—even millennia.
• Unmatched Carbon Sequestration: Each Giant Sequoia can store up to 1,400 tons of carbon over its lifetime, more than an entire acre of standard trees. To put that in perspective, a single mature Giant Sequoia can weigh over 6,000 tons, the equivalent of 40 Blue whales, the largest mammal on Earth.
• Tree School & Community Involvement: This isn’t just about planting trees and walking away. We’re building an entire movement.