Is this gentle giant in trouble??

[oceans]

Flown here not grown here

Don't sweat it, bud. We're all from somewhere...else...

 

[BOTS]

BOTS, I'm quite sure this tree will sprout new growth on old wood. Is this true?

I've also read a bit about drought issues in southwestern climes...particularly regarding cavitation. Can these bounce back from that?

We have a few Sequoias here in the Northeast, near the coast, that are either declining or dead. With the redwood growth habit and requirements in mind, does that even seem like a viable place for it to grow long term?

Howdy Oceans!

'sprout new growth on old wood'.....Im in nor cal and dont see that much at all, but near trunk/roots I do....just not up in the tree.

Ive been doing quite a few "Reds" removals, last year and this one...did one today....there a very popular tree to plant here but since peeps been cutting back on watering cuz of drought, tree mortality rate is high, they need there water, lots of it, there "Coastal" trees I tell the HO's, they finally start to understand about watering daily.

As you know, Sequoias are better off around 5000ft elevation, they thrive in higher climate like Kings Canyon.
They dont do so well in the lower hot/dry elevation at all

 

[Sempervirens]

This is an excellent resource about caring for Redwoods. It will give you some ideas about how much to water and how to amend the soil.

http://www.mountainview.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=12426

 

[Sempervirens]

How would one simulate cold dense salty fog?

Reed Wortley
CTSP #01739
ISA CA #SO-6953A

Fortunately you don't have to simulate the fog (and it's not salty)... you just have to water more to make up for the fact that the tree is not getting any water from the fog... of course it's going to need even more water because it's baking in the sun all summer while it's northern cousins are shrouded in fog most days. In places where redwoods thrive it's estimated that they get at least 30% of their water from fog... and it's foggy primarily in the summer.

Mark Twain was spot on when he said “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”

 

[Sempervirens]

Simulate fog? I have seen smaller yard redwoods in a circle with a drip system running up each tree and mister emitters than ran each morning. Those trees were so cool to stand in on a summer day and they were the most lush and beautiful redwoods around.

That's fascinating Merle - where was that?

 

[Merle Nelson]

In Santa Rosa, an hour north of San Francisco and 30 miles from the coast for those not familiar with the area. Fog is pretty rare there.

I think the trees were only 25 feet tall when I saw them years ago. Drip system didn't go all the way to the top. And I 'm sure you can only push water straight up so far. Even so, I've always wanted to try it.

 

[Andrew Franzm]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Really fantastic insight here. Ditching the lawn might be an issue for my wife and kids. I could however dedicate some space around the base to low growing plants as many have suggested. Loving the drip irrigation and mister idea, especially when it hits 105 this summer. Thanks again all...

 

[southsoundtree]

Ask them if they want the lawn or the tree? You can have a new lawn back in overnight with sod, once the dead tree is removed.

Would you divert gray water from your house? A gravity siphon in the bathtub would be one simple way. I don't know the water use per shower, but its more than nothing.

Do you collect the water that goes down the drain while letting the water warm up for washing?

Every bit helps over nothing.

 

[mdvaden]

Interesting how much opinion, information and mis-information this thread introduces.

RE the OP redwood, if there is a way to peel some bark on some small limbs or bit of trunk higher up, and find green cambium or moisture inside, then consider sitting on the tree until summer and watch for new growth (or not).

Regarding one handout link, there is no way to replicated the coast redwoods environment, so it boils down to just doing the best possible.

The mountain ash's environment can't be reproduced in low-land, but they do okay. So trying to replicate Mt. Hood would be insane. Taking care of the basics is most important. And some water is basic.

I do not advocate much irrigation unless absolutely essential. Irrigating trees frequently triggers shallow rooting, less stability and means it takes less of a drought to "nail" a tree.

Thick mulch can help huge. Also, some watering on occassion can be okay, but it's best to wait quite a while, as that triggers deeper rooting. More roots into more soil. It means trees can endure longer dry spells by strategic watering. Strategic watering is far better than regular watering at the same intervals.

If you go thick on mulch, it may mean that using drip is the better option otherwise too much may get held in the mulch and that's not where you want a lot of roots. Up here, surface water with sprinklers makes sense, but not so much where you are at, or places like Medford in southern Oregon. Not with 4 to 6 inches of mulch that is.

Fog is not at all essential for health and survival.

I know of redwoods here in Portland, Eugene or Medford that get little useful fog in summer, and have hardly any rain from June to October.