This page is provided to answer questions related to growing coast redwood and giant Sequoia as exotics, especially for timber. In general, the questions and answers posted here will be questions that are not covered elsewhere on this Web site or in the booklet: Growing Redwood Timber in the Southeastern United States. Other questions will be answered by an e-mail response. We will attempt to obtain answers from the appropriate experts whenever possible.

When submitting questions please refer to the tree by either the common or scientific name, for example: coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens or giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum or Wellingtonia gigantea). Do not use ambiguous terms such as giant redwood or Sequoia. Some of the answers listed below may not be all parts of the submitted multipart question, but rather only the part that relates to growing redwoods for timber in the southeast.

Question 1: What is elevation in France above which the fungi Botryosphaeria was found not to be a major problem on giant Sequoia? (G.H.)
Answer: In general, Botryosphaeria is not a serious problem on giant Sequoia at elevations above about 200 or 300 meters (700 to 1,000 feet) in France and elsewhere (California, for example). Closer to sea level it can be anything from annoying to lethal on giant Sequoia. Coast redwoods sometimes get it, but not as seriously. Thus, we were recommending planting giant Sequoia above 300 meters, coast redwood below 200 meters, and either or both between 200 and 300 meters elevation in France. (Dr. Bill Libby, 8/3/97)

Question 2: At what size (height) do you recommend starting to remove the lower branches from giant Sequoia to produce the best lumber? (G.H.)
Answer: We have routinely pruned both coast redwood and giant Sequoia after they reach about 2 meters (6+ feet) height. At that time, we periodically prune them to half height until they are about 12 meters tall, at which point they have been pruned to a height of 6 meters (20+ feet). I have pruned a few to greater heights, and it seems to work fine. They probably lose a bit of growth as a result of this pruning, but the lower log is not only largely knot-free but seems to have better form (less taper) as a result. (Dr. Bill Libby, 8/3/97)

Question 3: I have been thinking (and either observing or imagining) that sprinkling with chlorinated water will possibly kill both Botrytis and Botryosphaeria without hurting the trees much. What do you think? (G.H.)
Answer: Chlorinated water might well kill both Botrytis and Botryosphaeria. How chlorinated? Swimming-pool level, or drinking-water level? Might be worth a try. (Dr. Bill Libby, 8/3/97)

Question 4: I have heard that giant Sequoias are being grown for Christmas trees in California and Oregon. Can they be grown for Christmas trees in the southeast? (J. Carter)
Answer: Giant Sequoia should produce excellent Christmas trees in about 3 to 4 years after planting 1-0 seedlings. The 3.5 year old tree shown below is growing in Huntsville, Alabama at about a 570 elevation. We recommend planting at higher elevations for Christmas tree production. (G. Hodges, 8/17/97)

Question 5: What is the root system like on a coast redwood tree in proportion to it's height? (Mark Wallace)
Answer: A mature redwood has a root system that is only 4 to 6 feet deep but can have a width of 250 feet. Typically the mass of the root system of a mature tree is only about 10 per cent of the combined mass of the trunk and limbs. Normally the ground is covered with several inches of forest litter that helps protect the shallow roots from drought by capturing fog drip and rainfall. This layer of litter also promotes winter root growth by providing an insulating blanket that raises the upper soil temperature. This layer of mulch is also important consideration when planting redwood as an exotic. Many of the very old coast redwood giants have had as much as 15 feet of additional soil added to the base of the tree by flooding thus producing very wind stable trees. Unlike many trees, you can fill around the base of a redwood without killing it. When this occurs redwoods send out new roots near the surface. In the redwood forest, the roots also entangle with neighboring trees thus further improving stability. (G.G.H., 10/24/97)

Question 6: What is the phylum and class for Taxodiaceae? (Amanda)
Answer: A new page has been added to this site in response to this question (Redwood Taxonomy). The term phylum is used only for the Animal Kingdom and is equivalent to division in the Plant Kingdom. (G.G.H., 12/22/97)

Comment: Several new pages to provide some general information in response to frequently asked questions are currently under development. (G.G.H.)