The “Lost” Sequoia Tree I Bought For My Garden

Recently I bought a sequoia tree for my garden at Home Depot. It is an ancient and attractive species of tree. One day, the only one in the world, it was thought to have been extinct for millions of years from natural causes but then rediscovered in China in 2000! Now, it’s found all over the place!

What is a sequoia tree?

The sequoia tree is a majestic giant that can grow to be over 300 feet tall and weigh as much as 100 tons. These trees are native to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, and are considered one of the most difficult trees to grow in cultivation. The sequoia tree is a slow-growing evergreen that requires a lot of water and nutrients to thrive. It is also susceptible to bark rot and die from fire, making it one of the most endangered trees in the world.

The Lost Sequoia Tree

The sequoia tree, or the redwood tree, is a majestic and ancient tree that can grow up to 300 feet tall. A few years ago, I bought one for my garden as an addition to the other plants. I was quite excited to bring home this majestic tree and plant it in my yard.

I soon found out that this particular sequoia was not happy in my garden. In fact, it seemed like it was unhappy from the moment I brought it home. The leaves were drooping and there was something wrong with the trunk. I didn't know what it was, but I knew that something wasn't right with my tree.

After some research, I discovered that this particular sequoia had been infected with a fungus called girdling root rot. This fungus is deadly to trees and can completely destroy a Sequoia's roots and trunk. My poor tree had no chance of surviving if I hadn't noticed the problem when I did.

If you are planning on buying a sequoia tree for your garden, be sure to inspect it carefully before you buy it to make sure there are no signs of girdling root rot. If you do find signs of the fungus, don't buy the tree – find someone who will sell you a healthy one instead!

How did sequoias survive the last ice age?

The last Ice Age, which spanned from around 110,000 to 12,000 years ago, was a time of great global change. In North America, the glaciers advanced and covered much of the continent. As they did so, they took down trees in their path and deposited their remains along with other debris in what is now called the "glacier drift." Over time, this accumulation of wood and other materials created large slabs that were pushed out into the open by flowing ice.

Given that Sequoias grow in mountainous regions near glaciers, it's no surprise that these trees were among those extensively impacted by the Ice Age. Today, only about 20% of Sequoia populations remain from before the glaciation. The majority of sequoias surviving today are found in California and Oregon where they grew in areas that were not covered by glaciers.

Interestingly enough, despite being heavily impacted by the glaciation, many sequoia species managed to survive. The most famous example is the General Sherman tree located in Sequoia National Park. This tree is estimated to be over 3,500 years old and is one of the largest living trees on Earth. It's likely that General Sherman would have died if it weren't for the glaciation; his root system would have been buried under tons of snow and ice.

While General Sherman is an exception – most sequoias are smaller than 50 feet tall – there are still a number of sequoia species

What are some sequoia trees’ properties?

Some sequoia trees have a circumference of up to 36 feet and a height of over 300 feet. They are also one of the oldest trees in the world, with some believed to be over 3,000 years old. The bark is rough and scaly, and can grow up to 8 inches thick. The leaves are broad, leathery, and serrated. The tree’s redwood needles are around 2 inches long and its cones are around 4 inches long and 2 inches wide.

Conclusion

After reading this article, if you're still on the fence about whether or not to buy that "lost" sequoia tree for your garden, hopefully this will help sway you in the right direction. In the end, it's up to you whether or not you decide to take the plunge and purchase that tree; but at least now you have all of the information necessary to make an informed decision. So what are you waiting for? Go out and buy yourself a lost sequoia tree!