True-to-type cloning of mature trees, especially when they do not sprout from their base, remains problematic. Special attention is focused on the shoot apical meristem, since it is an obvious choice for vegetative propagation. In Sequoiadendron giganteum a meristem removed during budbreak from a 100-year-old tree regenerated a truly rejuvenated line that exhibited the same juvenile characters as the juvenile clone used as control, especially in regard to morphological traits and organogenic capacity, and as manifested by the ability to produce adventitious roots in vitro. This rejuvenation has been maintained for 3 years in both in vitro and ex vitro conditions. This result is discussed in terms of inhibitory correlative systems acting within the donor tree in situ, especially as concerns miniaturization of the explant.