Pictures of Sequoiadendron Submitted to Me By Other GardenWeb Members

Pictures credited below.  Photos and names used with permission.

(Information Provided is for Recreational Purposes Only--No Liability Assumed) 

There are three Redwood species:
Coast Redwood (of Redwood Forest fame and lumber):  Sequoia sempervirens
Dawn Redwood (Chinese native, deciduous and similar to Bald Cypress in appearance):   Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Giant Redwood/Giant Sequoia (Big Trees of the Sierra Nevada interior, Yosemite and Sequoia Natl Park):  Sequoiadendron giganteum

In the NYC/Philly Area, Metasequoia grows easily, Sequoiadendron grows grudgingly and S. sempervirens generally
will not survive our winters. S.s. is seen growing in coastal Maryland, Virginia and DE (borderline zone 8 areas).

There are some tricks to growing Sequoiadendron in the area, so this site is dedicated to those interested.

Here are some other pictures of Giant Sequoias in various states. People often e-mail me photos and ask what is wrong:

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Kurt Stanwick of NJ bought a sequoia tree from the arbor day foundation that didn't do so well. The tree seems to have caught cercospora, as seen by the dying lower branches (not orange tips as with phomopsis or overwatering). It probably belongs in the ground or in a clay pot. Photo: Kurt Stanwick.

 

Al Bender of NC had a problem with this newly planted tree near the coast. The concern was salt damage, but it looks like cercospora again. The tree needs spraying, but also more airflow around the base with pruning. Close up photos below. Photo: Al Bender. Med
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Here is a close-up of the bottom, showing the black/brown symptoms of cercospora (phomopsis or heat stress would be orange/red). Med
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Here is an extreme close-up of the above to give an indication of color. Cercospora attacks older foliage first, from the inside and bottom, to out and top. Med
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Peter Jackson of MD had three new Sequoias planted, of which this one succumb to disease. A little hard to tell what the problem is, either cercospora, phomopsis or heat stress. It is most likely heat stress given the overall pattern and color. He sprayed the other trees with Immunox. Phomopsis generally appears in the spring with new growth while heat stress appears in the late summer after a long hot spell and dry conditions. Watering would have helped with this newly planted tree as long as it was done properly. Photo: Peter Jackson.

 

Here is a Sequoia sempervirens seedling (Coast Redwood), suffering from an unknown ailment. It was probably overwatered or suffered root damage when scooped out of the ground. Photo: Sam Seydel. Med

 

Here is another photo of a seedling. Photo: Sam Seydel. Med

 

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Dan White of NJ took 20 year old seeds and grew these two healthy seedlings (this and the following 5 photos). These kids are about 15 months old at the time these photos were taken. Planted in very rich soil. He has not had any disease issues, but soil moiture levels were a bit hard to control with the rains in 2003. Photo: Dan White.

 

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From above. Photo: Dan White.

 

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Very healthy growth and good color. Dan has a very green thumb! Photo: Dan White.

 

This is the other tree. Photo: Dan White. Sm
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It has a cute little bend at the bottom. Photo: Dan White. Sm
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Nice red color on the trunk. This can be an indication of disease resistance in seedlings, though more examples have to be seen for confirmation. Growing several seedlings from seed is the best way to select for disease resistance in your area. Buying larger trees may be an expensive proposition. Photo: Dan White.

(Dan later indicated that one tree did not make it and did not know what to do with the other one still in the pot. At some point it will have to be planted outside.)
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Thanks to everyone for the photos!

Further Links:
Exotic Tree Home Page
Giant Sequoia Growing in NJ, NY and PA
More GS Photos in NYC/Philly Area
Photos of Area GS from Middle 2004
Photos of Area GS from Late 2004
Photos of GS Diseases
More Photos of GS Diseases
Conifer Winter Bronzing Photos
GS Photos from Other Photographers
Some Other Exotic Tree Species
Bald Cypress and Dawn Redwood Bark Photos

Germination Trials for growing by seed:
Summary of Tips for Growing GS from Seeds
Environmental Considerations
Germination Trials I
Germination Trials II
Germination Trials III
Germination Trials IV