Coastal Redwoods in cold climates

9 years ago

Hi everyone,

I am in desperate need of advice as my much loved coastal redwood appears to be dying. He (yes, "he") is about 6 years old and I've had him in a large container this whole time. He's about 8 ft tall. We recently moved to Northern Nevada (Reno) from CA but it seems that the cold weather is turning him brown. Following advice from a nursery employee, he said to bring it inside which I did. He says he's never seen a coastal redwood in the area. I don't know if I should try my luck planting him in the Spring, (its winter now) or take him back to CA and sell him (I don't know of anyone who would want it).

Has anyone had their coastal redwood survive in cold climates and how did you do it??

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Comments (10)

Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
9 years ago
You might be onto the problem. Pots can be difficult to deal with anyway and a garage can be more sheltered than inside yet not as out of the norm.

What hardiness zone are you, 6? What are your long term goals for the tree, plant it? Keep it potted? And how much rain do you get?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
its a tree.. not a houseplant ... a garage would be better than in the house ...

you left transport shock out of the equation ... you changed light intensity.. humidity changes ... etc .. there were many cultural changes beyond temp ...

i cant define the difference between CA and NV ... but if you say cold is the only new variable.. i will go with it ...

ken
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scpalmnut
9 years ago
Years ago when I lived in Reno, I tried a Sequoia sempervirons in the ground and I think it was probably fried by December. In a normal winter, of which I know the past two haven't been, I would say it has no chance in the ground.
Embothrium
9 years ago
This is not a tree for Nevada.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sequoia sempervirens - Redwood, Coast Redwood - Plant Finder - Sunset.com
yesseniatr
Original Author
9 years ago
Obviously, as inferred, this plant will not remain in the pot.

Toronado, I am in zone 7. It is very dry so misting is a must. I placed the plant inside to keep it from drying - it is a temporary fix.

We are going to plant it outside in the Spring. Add a lot of mulch to protect the roots during the winter and hope for the best.

Thank you for replying.
Embothrium
9 years ago
Your climate is too dry and cold for it.
uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
9 years ago
...and not a tree for a residential landscape - unless its an acre or more! They get really big, really fast. The roots eventually find your pipes... and therefore your wallet.
wisconsitom
9 years ago
Yes, I should think it beyond obvious that this is a duck out of water. "Coastal"! Not "interior desert redwood", lol. I think it's fine to try things unlikely to succeed, but to get all surprised when the inevitable happens? Not so much.

That's about as inappropriate a site for this species as can be. I've done things which had a low probability of working out myself. But I knew that going in.

+oM
pineresin
9 years ago
"That's about as inappropriate a site for this species as can be"

I can think of a few worse, e.g. try here: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/21213839

:-)
wisconsitom
9 years ago
Yes, there's always something more extreme, whatever the category. I don't see a lot of residences in your photo though, Mr. Resin!

+oM