June 16, 2013
April 18, 2017
It looks grim, doesn’t it? Andy is going to order another one, and in the process he read this:
Water your trees!
These trees originated at a time when the earth was warmer and wetter than it is today. Once the soil surrounding the roots of the giant sequoias totally dries out these trees are dead. They are not at all forgiving to those who forget to water, like most landscape trees are….
For the best results continue to irrigate your trees for their entire lifetime (about 3000 years). If this isn’t possible, ask someone to water them in your absence or put in an automatic irrigation system. Remember that water is critical!
—Giant Sequoias in the Landscape Garden
Andy has been giving it plenty of water, but he has been watering more deeply and less frequently. That’s a good strategy for most trees — it encourages deep roots — but maybe it’s not the best thing for redwoods?
Before the fire he did manage to grow a tall one:
2009
We’re guessing he won’t have even 20 years to grow another one that tall. Let alone 3000!
I love the quote that states that if in your 3000 years you’ve absent – have someone else take care of it (okay, I know that’s not what it really said) … maybe Andy needs to rethink the “tree insert” …
That is a tree to be quite proud of given the background.
See today’s post: Poor Old Redwood Tree. 🙁
We have few giant sequoias left in our neck of the woods (Vancouver Island, BC, CA). They are a tourist attraction now, closely protected. Once you see a grove of giant sequoias, you never forget it!
I’m from northern California so love them too.
I have yet to see the giant redwoods in their natural state.
it’s on my bucket list.
and I recently read that our bodies are scientifically designed to last at least 120 years!!! so never say never!
I love the picture of andy and his tree. he’s the man!
that seems to becoming true – many of those who are in their 80s are apparently what used to be the 60s…and a group I used to belong to – had a photo board of those in their 80s then they deleted that and had one of those in the 90s – about 6/7 pictures on it (easy to carry) & then suddenly Joe had to get another board as more and more of the members got into their 90s! Our oldest member died when she was 102…
We used to go to Muir Woods almost every time we went to visit my folks in the San Francisco Bay area. That’s where we got Andy’s first redwood seedlings. Great memories.
PS Cathy,
That’s interesting!