I've got a seed grown seedling of a Coast Redwood tree that is very odd. It is 2 trees in 1. I know I've posted before about a tree like this, but it was really just 2 trees with seperate trunks stuck together. This seedling has only 1 trunk, but 2 trees coming out of that trunk. And the stranger thing is that the 2 seperate trees are starting to branch at the same area. I am posting pics for everyones viewing pleasure.

What causes this? And could here be problems later down the road?

Ryan

Dax

there is always next year... when the trunk is a bit more woody ... perhaps the plant is a bit more able to overcome infection or disease....

i am amazed at all the peat in your media ....

ken

Any of your seedlings looking like that (all new growth with no evidence of hardening off) will have to be kept this winter indoors until after next year's last frost (under artificial lights); preferably somewhere such as a basement where the heat/air from the house, isn't so dry. Don't overwater them. Allow them to almost dry out completely between waterings. Next spring give your seedlings a few bits of fertilizer and keep them in a morning sun situation or under a tree producing dappled light. Year 3, your seedlings will be ready to go in the ground.

Good luck Ryan!

Dax

Resin

I've got tons of these so I'm not new at this Dax ;) I've been growing trees for about 2 years.

So, should I cut one off as Dax suggested or bend one down as Resin suggested?

If I were to do nothing and let it grow, which I wont, what would be the outcome? Both parts dying?

And about the soil, I know it is horrible. I start out all my trees like that, and to be honest, I haven't lost one yet. Once they get older and bigger I plant them into a more free draining soil.

Ryan

Your question (unless I'm misunderstanding your meaning) seems to be asking if a seedling with a codominant leader is doomed. A co-dominant leader may eventually result in a structurally weaker tree, but it's not like it's a disease.

Personally, I prefer Dax's suggestion, but bending one leader down and encourage it to be a branch (dang, what's the name for that?) or even leaving the tree unpruned/untrained won't lead to an immediate death or even an immediate reduction in health. As the tree ages it will likely be less structurally sound unless some action is eventually taken.

+oM

No doubt with the low split it will be more likely to break under wind or lord forbid snow load. Just don't plant it near the house!

?Variety? I owe you a seedling, next spring man.

Dax

Ryan