Redwoods

[Saw Bones]

I was thinking of planting some of the big redwoods from the PNW out on my property in South Louisiana. I have 28 acres of woodland. It has some Cypress, and mixed hardwoods like different varieties of oak and hickory. Do you thing trees like that would do Ok down here?

I figure long after I am gone some one will look out on the horizon and see this really big tree, and wonder what the hell is that?

I would appreciate any thoughts.

 

[lego1970]

My brother owns a nice home on a country club golf course. I brought back a conifer sapling from northern California and we tried to plant it in his backyard next to the golf course. It didn't live, but we thought the same thing you thought. It would be funny hundreds of years from now having some big Redwood growing in central Missouri. First I would check the PH value of your soil and cross check that with a Redwoods needs. I lived in Louisiana for two years and have trucked all over northern California and the climates are definately different. I doubt it would grow, but it would be fun to try. Good luck.

 

[Saw Bones]

My brother owns a nice home on a country club golf course. I brought back a conifer sapling from northern California and we tried to plant it in his backyard next to the golf course. It didn't live, but we thought the same thing you thought. It would be funny hundreds of years from now having some big Redwood growing in central Missouri. First I would check the PH value of your soil and cross check that with a Redwoods needs. I lived in Louisiana for two years and have trucked all over northern California and the climates are definately different. I doubt it would grow, but it would be fun to try. Good luck.

Yea that was my thought. Couldn't hurt to try.

 

[Ed*L]

While the tree probably will grow, it won't reach it's full growth potentional.
The enviroment in the PNW where they grow is unique.....found nowhere else.

Ed

 

[2dogs]

While the tree probably will grow, it won't reach it's full growth potentional.
The enviroment in the PNW where they grow is unique.....found nowhere else.

Ed

I don't know what the southern boundary of the PNW is but redwoods (sequoia sempervirens) only grow in coastal Collyfornia. A few have escaped to the very southwestern tip of Oregon. I think they were trying to avoid the taxes here.

The Dawn Redwood and the Giant Sequoia are generally not considered when the name redwood is spoken.

 

[Fireaxman]

Just one more thought. Even if it did grow.

I dont think they get much lightning in the PNW. According to my sister in Portland they hardly ever get a thunderstorm. Down here, as you well know, lightning is common. If that sucker ever stuck its crown up higher than the surrounding Loblollies and Slash, my bet is that it would get zapped big time.

 

[pdqdl]

I used to have a customer that swore her tree was a California redwood. She claimed that she planted it herself many years before; it was about 40 feet tall when I saw it.

I was pretty sure that it was a bald cypress, but she assured me that it was not, and she was a cagey old girl that seemed to know her garden plants well. Since I have never seen a genuine redwood tree, I was not in a position to argue with her.

 

[Saw Bones]

I used to have a customer that swore her tree was a California redwood. She claimed that she planted it herself many years before; it was about 40 feet tall when I saw it.

I was pretty sure that it was a bald cypress, but she assured me that it was not, and she was a cagey old girl that seemed to know her garden plants well. Since I have never seen a genuine redwood tree, I was not in a position to argue with her.

I know the tree is a relative of the cypress, only much bigger. But from what I have read lately it won't grow here.

It was just a thought. I will plant native trees that I know will grow. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[Hddnis]

Just one more thought. Even if it did grow.

I dont think they get much lightning in the PNW. According to my sister in Portland they hardly ever get a thunderstorm. Down here, as you well know, lightning is common. If that sucker ever stuck its crown up higher than the surrounding Loblollies and Slash, my bet is that it would get zapped big time.

Just wanted to mention that we get a ton of thunderstorms here. It must be that living in Portland makes her not notice them. Almost all of our forest fires are started by lightning. I've seen huge trees in Portland that were exploded by lightning strikes. It actually happens many times each year. The basalt and granite rocks around here are like bait for lightning.



Mr. HE

 

[Hddnis]

I know the tree is a relative of the cypress, only much bigger. But from what I have read lately it won't grow here.

It was just a thought. I will plant native trees that I know will grow. Thanks for everyones input.

You might have some micro-climates around there that they would grow better in. You won't be able to just plant them anywhere. It would be cool if you could.



Mr. HE

 

[NCTREE]

Has anyone seen the NG special with Steve Sillet "Climbing The Giant Redwoods." Some pretty interesting info on redwoods.

 

[euroford]

Has anyone seen the NG special with Steve Sillet "Climbing The Giant Redwoods." Some pretty interesting info on redwoods.

nice show. but better yet, read this:

http://www.richardpreston.net/books/wt.html

awesome book.