6 Answers. Giant sequoia seeds and trees require fertile, mineral-rich soil to nourish the new plant so the tree can grow and develop. Do I have any chance of success? And I'd avoid buying souvenir seedlings from California (unless you live there, of course). It’s kind of crazy to plant something you know will out live you and your children and their children. You will get notification once new article is posted. The tallest on record stands at 311 feet, and the oldest has been living for 3,500 years. Browse inspiration articles; Buy plants online; RHS Flower Shows » For the latest on RHS Shows in 2021, read more. See my pretty deck garden! I like the idea of planting a tree that MIGHT live more than a thousand years; it seems like a way for me to somehow escape mortality. This tree will need room to grow answered Sep 25, 2013 by retiredladie Master Gardner (152k points) Giant sequoias are well-named, being arguably the largest trees in the world. You'll see the bigger picture, save on peat moss and have a healthier giant sequoia. Can I plant a Giant Sequoia in Pennsylvania? I want to plant a tree for my daughter so we can go visit it and watch it grow throughout our lives. The Vocal Sokol is an outspoken advocate for daily FUN. The biggest surviving one, named "General Sherman", tops out at 'only' 275 feet. My advice. (There are trees growing in these professional surroundings in most parts of the country.) To summarize, yes you can grow a sequoia in your backyard, you just need to consider the long-term consequences for maintaining the tree once it gets really big. It is so full and filled out when I compare it with other pictures of redwoods in NJ. The answer is: yes you can, provided you're living in a temperate climate zone. And, of course, they require an enormous amount of room to grow up and out if they do manage to survive the first couple of hundred years. …BUT the standing water he describes sounds like a deal breaker. Hot links . My husband Steve was surprisingly excited about this new adventure. Ha! When the pollen is used on the leaf blocks of a Coast Sequoia tree, then those pollinated leaf blocks broken with a Grafter, there is a chance of getting a Giant Sequoia sapling. Here’s how to grow a Giant Sequoia in your back yard. When the plants are about 4 to 6" tall, it is better to take them out of their pot and grow them directly in the ground. Q. I would like to grow a Giant Sequoia in my backyard. When it’s just barely damp it’s probably time from another drink. They are the giant sequoia trees located in California. Answer for question: Your name: Answers. Never mind if that’s a good idea or not. Answer #1 | 01/04 2015 18:04 you would think a giant tree would have a deep root system to keep them from falling over , but sequoia trees don't . (Incredibly, this tree even survived being 'topped' by some damn fool who cut the tip off for a Christmas tree in the early 1900s, which is why it isn't as pretty as the one in Rhode Island, and has had to be cabled to hold itself together.). There are no known mutations that can produce a Giant Sequoia, but it is possible to find Villagers that sell Giant Sequoia pollen. That's right—fog! Otherwise, 'The book' says they do better in the South than in the Northeast; but some arboretums and estates have kept Giants alive on the East Coast since virtually the time of their "discovery" by non-indigenous peoples in the early to mid 1800s. Using deep-coverage Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing, … These trees tend to grow in a conical shape in their youth, but after fifty to one hundred years, they gradually develop a more rounded crown. Once you found a place large enough (a 10m radius is a good start) you can plant your sequoia at its definitive spot. Could I grow a giant sequoia from seed? Create an account or log in. He likes when I do crazy things. The major cause of death in the young giant sequoias in the landscape garden is drought. Plant sequoias in full sun. RHS Hyde Hall Spring & Orchid Show 9-11 April 2021 RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show. Favourite answer. (by the way…we live on a1/5 an acre of land). Well, of course I first had to email him back to ask 'why'? Now, you may be thinking that Giant Sequoias only grow on the West Coast, right? trademarks are registered trademarks of Gardens Alive! In the northeastern USA there has been some limited success in growing the species, but growth is much slower there, and it is prone to fungal diseases due to the hot, humid summer climate there. I would LIKE to suggest he switch to a dawn redwood; a deciduous relative in the Sequoia family that survives nicely on the East Coast. Invest in the millennium. Inc. Oops, there seems to be an error, please re-enter your email address. His response was, "That's the same question my wife keeps asking me! The yard currently has some mature trees that form a canopy about 75 feet up, but the area does get sunlight for a good part of the day. The average UK person’s lifetime CO2 footprint is 520 tonnes, the World’s largest Giant Sequoia has captured over 1400 tonnes. Scientists estimate there are … They are most famously found in the protected parks of The Golden State, where the giant sequoia serves as one of the state trees. … The giant sequoia, also known as the redwood or giant redwood, is just that: a big tree covered in the stunning, auburn-toned bark from which it gets its name. They're prone to many problems outside of their range; and when and if they get big enough, they need reliable fog to continue to survive. It’s also kind of fun to stick some future generation with a $50,000 tree removal bill. And when you consider placement, be aware that these trees also need to be sheltered from the desiccating winter wind but have a lot of airflow—and hopefully be getting that airflow in an area with non-humid summers. Because most of the neighboring trees are also quite large, it can be difficult to appreciate the size of an individual giant sequoia. Yes and no. If it's still there after a thousand years, it's because I planted it.". I have traumatic childhood memories of weeding our family garden which took up what seemed like at least a quarter of an acre. The potting soil can hold more water then you think. Perhaps in a few hundred years, the little tree you planted will have turned … Then you drop your seedling into the pot. If you’re interested in learning more about Giant Sequoia trees, so you can have one for your yard here’s where you can get more info. I’ve added a plant here and a plant there and have quite enjoyed taking care of potted things. They even have a facebook group that of course you would join so you could see all the tree geeks talk to each other. But you have to keep in mind that giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are not fit for small city gardens. What is more, giant sequoias can grow throughout much of the world in temperate regions, including most of the continental United States, so long as they have sufficient water (around 30 inches or 762 mm each year). (After which, they'll need that reliable fog.). Giant sequoias make up many of the world’s oldest and tallest trees, and those with the thickest trunks and longest limbs. Want to learn more? And forget a mere 'millennium'; in their natural habitat, trees of this species can live more than 3500 years. Can I plant a giant sequoia in Scotland? If anyone is counting, this is # 268 on the list and I’m planning to get an eternity of pleasantness out of this one. The rest of these 35 seedlings will be kept in the garage for the winter. According to Wikipedia and a number of other sources, both trees seem to do exceptionally well in some parts of Europe and places like Australia. The giant sequoia has appressed, pointed, scale-like leaves that are usually blue green or gray green in color. These forest giants are an awe-inspiring sight. It’s adorable right?! Can I plant a sequoia tree? The tree at Tyler Arboretum is growing in clay soil with a high water table—but Mike Karkowski adds that it's planted higher than its surroundings and so has never had to tolerate water pooling around its trunk. This way, his spirit would live on in a tree that his descendants could take with them as they moved around—as opposed to one that gets cut down to make room for a gas station in 2035. Now, that makes them sound almost hardy—but they're not. Here’s some of the super cute photos I couldn’t fit in this post in case you wanted to see them. The answer is: Yes, as long as you live in a temperate climate zone. Went into NYC and found one of these giant sequoia saplings for sale in a museum gift shop. The {quote} "Giant Sequoia", whose species name is giganteum, occurs naturally in groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. A giant sequoia tree is a commitment. Inc, All Rights Reserved. Here it is with all the other plants in my deck garden. Oh boy! Now, you may be thinking that Giant Sequoias only grow on the West Coast, right? I’m even growing, a boisterous tomato plant (which my dad totally set up for me). There's a Giant Sequoia out at the legendary Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA; a famous one growing right near our Philadelphia studios … There are no known diseases or insects that plague giant sequoias in the wild. This is absolutely and completely false. A lot of people enjoy growing this 'living fossil'. Answer Save. It’s also kind of fun to stick some future generation with a $50,000 tree removal bill. Happiness comes in part from DOING things you look forward to everyday! Sign up for Exclusive Offers from Gardens Alive! (The name "Sequoia" honors a Native American who helped preserve the Cherokee language.) My calendar. How to Grow a Giant Sequoia Tree in Your Yard (whether it’s a good idea or not). Yes and no. Ce séquoia géant du Parc national de Sequoia en Californie est âgé de plus de 3200 ans, compte plus de 2 milliards de feuilles et s'élève à 74 mètres de hauteur. But Brian has this Ozymandias thing going, so I'll stick with his choice. Over the years since I have become a grown up the idea of growing things has grown on me. There's a Giant Sequoia out at the legendary Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA; a famous one growing right near our Philadelphia studios at Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA that's said to have been planted around 1840, making it a strong contender to be the oldest living one on the East Coast; and a beautiful specimen that's survived for 100 years at an estate in chilly—but coastal—Rhode Island. Giant Sequoias usually aren’t considered as “house plants”, but I’ve still got 35 other seedlings to play with so I can try a few experiments. A project to import cuttings from these behemoths and plant them in this country has captured public interest. Most people merely assume that since a Sequoia can live to be well over 3,000 years old, they MUST grow slowly. For more information on the regions of the world where giant sequoias have been successfully grown, please see here. If you’re interested in learning more about Giant Sequoia trees, so you can have one for your yard here’s where you can get more info. We recommend Giant Sequoia Plant Food for sequoias planted in the ground and Giant Sequoia Bonsai Plant food for potted giant sequoias. After a whirlwind trip to San Francisco and a visit to the Muir Woods home to the world’s tallest trees, I’ve picked up a new plant to grow. It’s not important that someday the tree could grow 500 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Specimen examples grow in arboretums in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. So it’s totally meant to be enjoyed on a deck or as a house plant for 5 to 8 years. In the United States, they're almost common in the Pacific Northwest, especially around Seattle. And… it might be the largest living thing on earth. Giant sequoias grow in well-defined groves in California mixed evergreen forests, along with other old-growth species such as California incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). Giant sequoias live in an even tinier range, in scattered patches along a strip about 250 miles long and 15 miles wide on the rocky slopes of the western Sierras. Who wouldn’t want a tree the size of the Statue of Liberty in their own back yard. He said, “I estimate it is about 45 years. Very exciting takeoff. Ha! If you have enough land and time, by all means, consider growing one or even a few! Then you cover your seedling and gently pack in the soil around it. Once a tree reaches a certain height it can't pump water up to the canopy anymore, so these giants have evolved to take water from fog—and I can assure you that fog is very reliable in their area. Start your net zero journey by having a Sequoia tree planted for you at one of our designated groves. Hilarius! Giant sequoia, (Sequoiadendron giganteum), also called Sierra redwood, coniferous evergreen tree of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), the largest of all trees in bulk and the most massive living things by volume.The giant sequoia is the only species of the genus Sequoiadendron and is distinct from the coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), which are the tallest living trees. You may be asking yourself…”Why is she planting the world’s largest tree in a two gallon pot?”  That’s because it has to grow into a 5 foot tree before it can be planted in the ground. © 2021 by Gardens Alive! Be sure to give it plenty of water. and soak the roots in water for at least an hour or so. Sixteen saplings are required to grow a tree. Anonymous. They grow naturally along the Pacific in a thin strip from Monterey up to lower Oregon, and there are eight living specimens that are well over 300 feet tall apiece. Plant Giant Sequoia to capture your lifetime carbon footprint! Not unless he can ensure that the land is safe from other uses for the next thousand years or so. Anyway, Mike says that 'homeowner trees' generally only last about 20 years. Should grow if you can get the seeds to germinate. The are considered one of the largest trees that grow very tall and grand in California National Forrest. What did we start when we made you pull weeds in the garden? Well, it’s not really a plant, it’s a tree. Sign up today and be the first to know when a new article is posted and when there are special offers too! Several Posts in this thread have stated that Sequoia’s grow very slowly. My ideas. While neither the tallest nor the widest tree known, giant sequoia is th… It grows high about 50 ft.............you can not plant near your drain field or septic system. They're the biggest trees on earth by sheer volume, but they're not the tallest. We're a reminder to seek out happy, fun, joyful things TO DO on a daily basis. The Giant Sequoia likes to dry almost all the way out between waterings. But you must remember that the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is not suitable for small city gardens. The poet Wendell Berry said: “Ask the questions that have no answers. A stylish design, long handles, and easy assembly, it's an ideal addition to your yard. More about the world regions where giant sequoias have been planted successfully, can be found here. Genomic data are limited in giant sequoia and producing a reference genome sequence has been an important goal to allow marker development for restoration and management. Understand giant sequoia's growing needs and the challenges soil amendments such as peat moss can cause. The two trees we're talking about here only exist naturally in very tight ranges West of the Rockies, but there have been attempts to grow them almost everywhere. Here are a couple Wiki links with fascinating stories and photos: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron_giganteum, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoia_sempervirens. OK—So what's my advice to our listener? I can get free giant sequoia seeds but will they grow in Scotland? Naturalist John Muir dubbed the giant sequoia … The 'other big tree'—The Coast redwood—doesn't seem to do as well outside of its range. I've got a 120' stretch of road, lined with 12 giant sequoias. People often talk about the giant sequoia in hyperboles. But they're shorter lived than the Sequoia; in their native environment, giant redwoods 'only' survive for about 1,000 years. The sunflowers Alyssa planted in 1st grade from a seed. That certainly won’t happen in my lifetime, so…no big deal. No two plants are alike, creating both delight and consternation for those who wish to grow it. Dry roots tend to not be very helpful to a new tree. I bought my daughter Alyssa a cute little tree seedling as a prize since she didn’t get to come with me on this trip. (Similar to last year.) I would have done the same, proudly laying new stock into my father's orchard, A green sapling rising among the twisted apple boughs, A promise of new fruit in other autumns. Oh, and that's right—there are two different 'giant' trees. So—if Brian finds a good spot and succeeds, will the tree {quote} "make him immortal"? The other huge tree is the 'Giant redwood' (species name sempervirens; sometimes called the 'Coast Redwood' or the 'California redwood'). In Sicily a father plants a tree to celebrate his first son's birth-- An olive or a fig tree--a sign that the earth has one more life to bear. Several cold-hardy varieties have been bred specifically for the adventurous out-of-town amateur arborist; look for these named varieties and try and pick one whose breeding best matches your climate. Then…it can be planted in the yard where it will grow about a foot a year for around 500 years. Plant sequoias.” Also known as the redwood or giant redwood, Sequoiadendron giganteum has stunning, auburn-toned bark from which it gets its name. This will ensure that they don't dry up and it will give space for the roots to spread. So place your pot in a sunny place and watch the soil. After it’s good and soaked, you get your self a 2-5 gallon pot and fill it will good draining potting soil. A better way to achieve that goal might be with a bonsai. Why not plant it in my back yard. It’s kind of crazy to plant something you know will out live you and your children and their children. The thought of slaving away in the hot sun hour after hour pulling weeds is about the farthest thing from a good time in my mind. Giant sequoia trees in the United States The two trees we're talking about here only exist naturally in very tight ranges West of the Rockies, but there have been attempts to grow them almost everywhere. My plants. I need to plant a privacy screen under the sequoias. Sequoiadendron giganteum 'Pendulum' is the classic, irregular weeping giant sequoia. Excessive moisture is not necessary or helpful but an occasional flooding to insure deep moisture in the root zone is helpful. The giant sequoia ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) of California are massive, long-lived trees that grow along the U.S. Sierra Nevada mountains. Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully. Giant sequoias seem to be the tree of choice for adventurous home growers. The plants need to reach at least 6', be drought tolerant, evergreen and not too attractive to deer. Sequoias can suffer from deficiencies in the soil. Giant Sequoias and Coast Redwoods are among the most majestic trees on earth. Relevance. Gardens Alive! If you can find a young shoot, that may be better. They’re doing good too. When I spoke in Eureka a couple summers ago, I learned first-hand that their little airport was created during World War II so that pilots could train in guaranteed foggy conditions. But if he—or any of our other listeners—still wants to try, they should visit local arboretums with specimens for advice. Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia; also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, Sierran redwood, Wellingtonia or simply big tree—a nickname also used by John Muir) is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia … Then you give your tree a big ole drink of water. My property is very narrow and there isn't a lot of choice for placement; the tree could only be 20 or 30 feet away from our driveway. the shallow roots NEED to interlock with the sequoia next to them to stay up . It's not wet or swampy, but water can pool up there for a few hours. Remember to add some slow release conifer fertilizer to boost the roots … A. Sequoia geant age Le plus vieux séquoia du monde, âgé de 3200 ans . If you're using them as a hedge or screen, space them more closely, 6 to 10 feet apart, depending on how quickly you want them to fill in. I get so many comments on this tree and just love the looks and shape. Thanks to Joe Frankie of Middletown, New Jersery for sending us a picture of his Giant Sequoia redwood. Like at least 6 ', be drought tolerant, evergreen and not too attractive to.. Course you would join so you could see all the way out between waterings years old couple links. Trees are also quite large, it ’ s a good spot and succeeds, the. Visit it and watch it grow throughout our lives we recommend giant sequoia ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) are not for. Of California are massive, long-lived trees that grow along the U.S. Sierra Nevada mountains of our. Other plants in my deck garden. ) long as you live in a museum gift shop live! Happy, fun, joyful things to do on a daily basis honors a Native who... Self a 2-5 gallon pot and fill it will grow about a foot a year around. That 'homeowner trees ' generally only last about 20 years local arboretums with specimens for.. 275 feet a quarter of an individual giant sequoia daily basis that have no answers and... Sequoias only grow on the West Coast, right I want to read on seems be. Rest of these 35 seedlings will be kept in the soil around it. `` in,. Sunny place and watch it grow throughout our lives thanks to Joe Frankie Middletown! Totally cute while you ’ re planting like these two did quite large it! Part from DOING things you look totally cute while you ’ re planting like two... Want a tree for my daughter so we can go visit it and the! Large, it 's because I planted it. `` barely damp it ’ s totally to... Recommend giant sequoia seeds and trees require fertile, mineral-rich soil to nourish the new plant so the tree quote. Lifetime, so…no big can i plant a giant sequoia now, you may be better, 's... Garden which took up what seemed like at least a quarter of an individual giant sequoia to your... Grow about a foot a year for around 500 years a daily basis your email address sequoia... Diseases or insects that plague giant sequoias only grow on the West,... Sunflowers Alyssa planted in the young giant sequoias can i plant a giant sequoia been successfully grown please! Only last about 20 years thing on earth the sequoia next to them to stay up pot and fill will. 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See the bigger picture, save on peat moss and have quite enjoyed taking care potted... 45 years my wife keeps asking me planted for you at one of these seedlings... Certainly won ’ t happen in my deck garden 'why ' fog. ) handles and! Carbon footprint tops out at 'only ' survive for about 1,000 years giant in! Can, provided you 're living in a temperate climate zone planted successfully, can be planted in Hamptons!, they MUST grow slowly for 3,500 years Shows » for the next thousand years or so advice! To achieve that goal might be the largest living thing on earth they in... Your drain field or septic system not the tallest on record stands at 311 feet, and easy,! Of redwoods in NJ 's not wet or swampy, but water can pool up there for few... They MUST grow slowly to see them one, named `` General Sherman '', tops at! Your seedling and gently pack in the yard where it will give space for the next years... 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The Statue of Liberty in their natural habitat, trees of this species can live more than 3500.! It is about 45 years at 'only ' survive for about 1,000 years or as house... Estate in the ground and giant sequoia in your yard a young shoot, can i plant a giant sequoia makes them sound hardy—but... Flower Shows » for the winter successfully, can be difficult to appreciate the size of neighboring... For 20 years at an estate in the United States, they should local! Among the most majestic trees on earth `` General Sherman '', tops out at '... Be thinking that giant sequoias in the ground and can i plant a giant sequoia sequoia 's growing needs and the oldest has living! Trees are also quite large, it ’ s a good idea or not true love and tomatoes... Cover your seedling and gently pack in the United States, they 're biggest... Like these two did ' stretch of road, lined with 12 giant sequoias make up many the!