Dawn Redwood growing Too Fast ?

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... My vote would be to do what @southsoundtree suggests, and plant another one at a distance that can accommodate its true growth potential. That way you'll have two beautiful trees to look at, at least until the first one becomes a problem. Thanks for posting your photo and telling us about the speed with which that tree can grow. I had no idea. Tim

Tim, the tree has only been in the ground a little over 2 years and is not so big that it can't be easily moved. Instead of the inevitable future removal, that is what I would recommend doing.
 
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@DSMc; Oh, thanks for this response. I was thinking that a tree that tall might already have a root system that was too large to make it practical to move it. It is nice to know they can be so resilient.

Tim
 
This would fall into the experiment category.
The goal would be to trigger reaction wood.
Toss a throw line up in the top. Pull the top over and stake it down, best done in spring when new wood is being put on the fastest. Leave it until late wood formation, then stake it vertical.
Following year repeat in the opposite direction./QUOTE]

Pure genius!
 
You almost certainly are going to regret having planted it that close to hardscape when it appears you had the room not to.
Thanks to everyone for the responses.

The front yard is not as large or unencumbered as it might look from the first photo.
See this 2nd photo.180818 Dawn Redwood - IMG_0208.webp
The "rock" to the left is actually the water well head. I don't want tree roots anywhere near.
The well distance: 30' to redwood; ~25' sidewalk.

The tree to the left is an Ash that I am trying to save, with a canopy that nearly overhangs the redwood.

Beyond the "rock" are underground utility lines: water, electric, phone, cable, etc.
 
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Thanks to everyone for the responses.

The front yard is not as large or unencumbered as it might look from the first photo.
See this 2nd photo.View attachment 53532
The "rock" to the left is actually the water well head. I don't want tree roots anywhere near.
The well distance: 30' to redwood; ~25' sidewalk.

The tree to the left is an Ash that I am trying to save, with a canopy that nearly overhangs the redwood.

Beyond the "rock" are underground utility lines: water, electric, phone, cable, etc.
I’d say your good for location. Yes the driveway is pretty close, but it’s a driveway. The useful life of most sidewalks is about 30 years, and I don’t see the redwood impacting that for quite some time.
30’ for the roots to the well head is a joke though. It will make that in no time.
I’m guessing the zone of radical taper in eh buttress area isn’t to far out from the trunk, and the tree has a dense fibrous root system. (Guess, as I haven’t worked with their roots)

What is your soil type? How deep? Around here we can have horrible compact soils to 12” with pancake root systems. Then in the backyard a ancient sand dune with 8-10” roots 10’ straight under the stump.
 
Top layer of soil seems pretty good, but then medium dense clay.
75 years ago the area was logged. (hardwood: maple, tulip, beech, hickory, etc)
The 1 mile long development was started ~40+ yrs ago.
My house is ~30 yrs old.

I agree on the driveway.
If the tree survives for many years, I could (would) extend the curve away from the redwood.

I will initially prune some lower branches for drive & sidewalk clearance.
 
@GregManning; Now this is a great answer to the problem, if you have the room to do it, and the willingness. I do like the way some trees look when their branches are allowed to remain low to the ground, with maybe just a mulch circle underneath, though. It just looks pretty. I understand the practical necessities, though. Is there any room on the side of the driveway that we cannot see to plant another one with more room, or is the location you've chosen the only viable spot for it?

It would be cool to see this tree get to be more than a hundred feet tall. Good luck with it, however you choose to proceed.

Tim
 
I signed up to see GregManning's dawn redwood photo. It's one of the reasons I planted a tiny dawn redwood the other day. Curious how long it will take to reach my 5'4" height. The soil isn't great. It's poorly draining clay. I hope it will do OK. If it does, I can make more space for it. Perhaps it's overkill but I caged it to keep it safe from deer.
dr.jpg
 
Many years ago I planted 200+ E. Hemlock bare root seedlings (12-18"). They took several years to acclimate, before they finally started to grow. Good Luck.
Keep us updated.
 

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