New Sequoia Redwood

Just received this little Redwood UPS. It was shiped with the roots wrapped and still wet. I planted it right away into a good sized pot to give it room to stretch out and grow. I didn't think about it at the time but I should have placed a tile below the roots. It is living in the garage while night time temps still drop into the 30's. Ill be taking it outside tomorrow. The next 5 days show 60 to 70 degree weather with night time in the high 30's to low 40's.

My plan for the next year is to just let it grow. Any advice?

Oooh boy. I'm afraid you've picked a very difficult species for your area. These barely make it in my zone 7a, so I'm thinking you're going to have a very difficult time in your cold cold Colorado climate. Not meaning to discourage you, but these are normally found where it's nice and humid on the coasts of California. They don't like the dry, hot weather and cold, freezing summers where I live.

I'm not sure what I'd suggest as to how to help that one survive your winters, as you can't bring it in. I suppose if your garage has a window or spot that gets a lot of light you could stick it there....

I did consider that before I purchased it and did some research. We actually have several Redwood growing very successfully all around Colorado. Many in the metro area, Fortcollins, Durango, etc... The key is getting the tree strong enough to make it through the winter.

Sorry the pictures didn't transfer over but the link is below
Colorado giant sequoia

http://www.giant-sequoia.com/gallery/usa/colorado/

Thanks to John Hetzler who sent these pictures of his giant sequoia in Colorado Springs, planted in 1995 which is now about 35 feet tall with a fifteen inch diameter trunk.

John Hetzler's giant sequoia in Colorado Springs during an ice storm.

Close up picture of the trunk of John Hetzler's giant sequoia tree growing in Colorado Springs.

Fifteen miles south of Denver in the city of Englewood, Tony found a giant sequoia growing on the NE corner of Pennsylvania and Tufts. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

These twin giant sequoias are located in Boulder, Colorado at Kalmia and 26th Street, about 2 miles east of the foothills. Both trees are in wonderful condition. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Landings Park in Fort Collins. Thanks to Tony for this picture of a very healthy giant sequoia tree.This giant sequoia is located at Landings Park in Fort Collins, along Boardwalk Dr., about 5 miles south of downtown, Planting was in 1998 by the Forestry division.

This giant sequoia tree is located in the Harper Humanities Gardens which are just west of the Mary Reed building on the University of Denver campus. This view was taken by Tony looking to the NE. The Penrose building is showing in the background.

Boulder, Colorado - Giant Sequoia doing well in Civic Park near downtown, located at the corner of Arapahoe Rd. and 13th St. This is across the street from Boulder High School, adjacent to the Boulder Creek bike path and just two blocks north of the University of Colorado. In the background looking towards the southeast is Green Mountain (8100 ft.) and the Boulder Flatirons. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

This Giant Sequoia is located back by the sandbox area at Warren Park in Fort Collins, across the street from the Collindale Golf Course. This park is at the intersection of Lemay Ave and Horsetooth Rd, 5 miles SE of downtown. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

This Giant Sequoia is located in Roland Moore Park, back by the tennis courts. This was planted by the Forestry Division in the Fort Collins park system back in 1998. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

This Giant Sequoia is located at City Park in Fort Collins, by the intersection of Jackson and West Oak streets. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

This Giant Sequoia is located in Fort Collins by the entrance of 'The Gardens on Spring Creek' along Centre Avenue, just south of the Colorado State University campus. This tree was planted by the Forestry Division in the Fort Collins Park system in 1998. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Library Park, located on the grounds of the main public library, at E. Oak St. and Matthews St. This is one of the giant sequoias planted by the park service in 1998. This sequoia is in wonderful condition. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Golden Meadows Park, located near Kruse Elementary school on McMurry Ave. This is one of the giant sequoias planted by the park service in 1998. While living and working in Fort Collins from 2001 to 2008 I must have rode my bike by this tree at least a hundred times, and had no idea there was a giant sequoia in this park. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Old Fort Collins Heritage Park, two giant sequoias, located adjacent to the Parks and Recreation Dept. on Willow St. just NE of downtown. These two giant sequoias were planted by the park service in 1998. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Beattie Park, at the intersection of Meadowlark Ave and W. Swallow Road. This is one of the giant sequoias planted by the park service in 1998. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Creek Side Park, located along the Spring Creek bike trail just west of S. College Ave, 1/2 block south of Colorado State University. Really like the location and condition of this tree, right alongside a very popular bike trail. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Rossborough Park, located at Dunbar Ave. and Casa Grande Blvd., just down the street and west of Rocky Mountain High School. This is one of the giant sequoias planted by the park service in 1998. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

Fort Collins, Colorado - Roland Moore Park, located just beyond the outfield fence of softball field number 2. This is one of the giant sequoias planted by the park service in 1998. For seven years while playing in a softball league at Roland Moore Park little did I know that a giant sequoia was just beyond the outfield fence. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

One of Edora Park giant sequoias as of 2011. This is in Fort Collins near E. Prospect St. and Welch St. Thanks Tony for the updated photo.

Another image of the giant sequoia in Edora Park in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Contributed by Tony Jivoin.

View of second sequoia tree in Edora Park taken by Tony in 2011.

Fort Collins giant sequoia - Stopped in Fort Collins yesterday 6/15/06 to get picture of one of the sequoias they have in Edora park. The tree was planted in 1998 and is doing well, despite the dry weather the last few years.

Keeping it alive will be the biggest challenge. To be more specific, keeping it alive long enough to begin working on it. This is a very young tree. It will not be ready for any kind of work for another 4-5 years.

Rob

Yes, but those are all Giant Sequoia. Your tree is a Coast Redwood, less cold hardy.

When I purchased it it did say it was a giant saquoia. Can you tell by the picture that it is a coastal? I have a lot to learn. Wish me luck.

Colorado Bonsai said:

When I purchased it it did say it was a giant saquoia. Can you tell by the picture that it is a coastal? I have a lot to learn. Wish me luck.

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Yep I grew these from seed years ago. What you've got is a Coast Redwood. Best of luck

There are several RMBS members growing these as bonsai. I believe they were all purchased from Bob and Zack Shimon, so they are much older trees. -- As far as I know, everyone who is using these out this way keeps them in greenhouses for the winter... if not all year.

If you want to start creating bonsai. You will need to do 2 things. First, learn the 5 styles of bonsai. Trees are not just randomly trained. They are usually trained to look like or at least loosely resemble one of the 5 styles or sub styles. Look at pictures of good bonsai. Also, you will need to start with older trees or trees that have some thickness to the trunk and many branches to work with. The current tree you have will take about 8-10 years before it will become a nice bonsai.

Here are some excellent examples of redwood bonsai. Notice how the trees have some age behind them.

Rob

Thanks for the help. I plan to let it grow, if I can keep it alive. Maybe a small green house is not a bad idea for the winter.

This was one of the trees in the Denver show last year:

......

I would advise you to find a place with some nice soil and plant that sucker in the ground. The top of the tree will withstand a lot more cold than the roots will, and If the tree is in the ground the earth will insulate the roots, also this will speed up the growing process, as you will need to let it grow for quite a few years before you will be able to do anything with it. I would recommend starting with something deciduous like a maple. If you can find one with an inch thick trunk or so from a nursery, that'll save you a good 5 years. Best of luck!

Beetleman72 said:

I would advise you to find a place with some nice soil and plant that sucker in the ground. The top of the tree will withstand a lot more cold than the roots will, and If the tree is in the ground the earth will insulate the roots...

Click to expand...

You really think a coast redwood is going to survive Colorado winters outdoors? Highly doubt it!

There is no way it would survive in the ground, especially with all the snow you all get.

It will not survive a winter in the ground in your area. Even the older collected material that we ship to Denver and other parts of the country are wintered in green houses. If you have temps in the low 20s for extended period of time, they need to go in a greenhouse or indoors and the humidity kept up.

This will be the plan. Thanks.

Well that's what id do here anyway.