How to Grow California Redwoods
California redwoods, or Sequoia sempervirens, are beautiful and striking trees. Ancient California redwood forests growing along the coast of California draw thousands of visitors a year. The trees are particularly known for their ability to reach rather magnificent heights, with the massive width of these ancient trees reaching dozens of feet in circumference. After seeing a redwood forest, some people may wonder if they can grow California redwoods themselves--if the conditions are right, this is perfectly plausible to do (although you should not expect your tree to reach the magnificence of an ancient redwood in your lifetime, obviously). Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plan to plant your tree in the correct habitat for California redwoods, if at all possible. California redwoods grow best in climates with rainy winters, cool temperatures and fog (such as the coastal areas of California). The trees do not respond well to freezing or scorching hot temperatures.
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Gather or purchase numerous seeds. California redwood seeds are tiny and look like grains of oatmeal. Plant a lot of them in a seed germinator and expect only a small percentage to actually sprout. Keep the seeds out of the sun and make sure the soil stays moist.
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Treat any sprouts with care and move them to a larger container when they have grown at least 2 inches tall. Try to keep the soil moist but not too wet, and use a mister regularly since redwoods like fog.
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Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer on the schedule recommended for the size of your plant and the size of your container.
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Keep your tree in a container in the beginning and protect it from winter cold during its first winter. You can place it outside after the first winter, however.
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Plant your tree in the ground when it has reached sufficient size that the container is no longer feasible.
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Tips & Warnings
Be realistic about the climate. If you live in an area with temperature extremes, your tree is unlikely to survive, unless you are considering planting a California redwood as a bonsai tree (so that you can protect it from temperatures indoors).
Be careful of over-watering as this can kill a redwood seedling easily.
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Comments
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jennifern
Aug 25, 2009
We have a very large redwood in our front yard that keeps getting a lot of brown needles in the summer. We've had it trimmed back but it seems to be getting worse every year. We had two different arborist tell us two different things. One wanted us to sign them up to inject the roots on a regular basis the other told us to keep cutting it back. We live in a warm area of N. CA, Los Gatos. Any advice? I would hate for the tree to die because we missed something. Thanks! -
bellevueredwood
May 09, 2009
About 15 years ago while visiting Southern Oregon, i bought a small redwood tree and planted it in my back yard. When it grew to about 8' tall i noticed sprouts coming from near its base. I ignorantly cut these off but placed them in glasses of water and they grew roots. Now i have a grove of redwoods... i have taken about 20 such cuttings.. what a thrill... some of the sprouts are now over six feet tall... luckily i have a deep ravine behind my yard so the trees are away from the house and in a wet area... what a joy..
