Sequoiadendron Giganteum In A Gulf State

[amh]

It is too hot to order any plants right now, but I'm starting to make a wish-list for when the temperatures become comfortable again. I would like to add some less common gymnosperms to my property and I am considering Sequoiadendron giganteum.  The property is located above 1000ft, with an average rainfall of around 36", and the soil is a well draining, deep, moderately alkaline SUNEV type. I assume that I'll have to amend the soil a little bit, but will giant sequoia handle a hot and humid climate? 

I am also considering Abies firma, does anyone have experience with Japanese Fir?

[Silas_Sancona]

12 minutes ago, amh said:

It is too hot to order any plants right now, but I'm starting to make a wish-list for when the temperatures become comfortable again. I would like to add some less common gymnosperms to my property and I am considering Sequoiadendron giganteum.  The property is located above 1000ft, with an average rainfall of around 36", and the soil is a well draining, deep, moderately alkaline SUNEV type. I assume that I'll have to amend the soil a little bit, but will giant sequoia handle a hot and humid climate? 

I am also considering Abies firma, does anyone have experience with Japanese Fir?

Would research the limited area they grow in extensively..  Worth a try perhaps, but highly doubt they would tolerate a lot of humidity, let alone extremely high temperatures.. Very specific requirements.

Better fit might be Coulter Pine / some of the pines that grow in S. AZ / N. Mexico, and  AZ cypress, Southern AZ sourced specifically. 

[amh]

18 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Would research the limited area they grow in extensively..  Worth a try perhaps, but highly doubt they would tolerate a lot of humidity, let alone extremely high temperatures.. Very specific requirements.

Better fit might be Coulter Pine / some of the pines that grow in S. AZ / N. Mexico, and  AZ cypress, Southern AZ sourced specifically. 

My daytime summer humidity is usually below 40%, with most of the time it being in the 20s. Night time has high humidity, but the temperatures are in the upper 60's to low 70's.

Edited July 15, 2023 by amh

[Silas_Sancona]

43 minutes ago, amh said:

My daytime summer humidity is usually below 40%, with most of the time it being in the 20s. Night time has high humidity, but the temperatures are in the upper 60's to low 70's.

They tend to prefer a pretty narrow climate preference..  Not too hot, not too cold.. Most of their water coming from Snowfall runoff. Severe winters / humid / wet summers have killed off most tried back east.

Article that lists average conditions where the groves are located from the NPS: 

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/weather.htm

Another from Monumental Trees:

https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/trees/giantsequoia/elsewhere/

Edited July 15, 2023 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[amh]

24 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

They tend to prefer a pretty narrow climate preference..  Not too hot, not too cold.. Most of their water coming from Snowfall runoff. Severe winters / humid / wet summers have killed off most tried back east.

Article that lists average conditions where the groves are located from the NPS: 

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/weather.htm

Another from Monumental Trees:

https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/trees/giantsequoia/elsewhere/

My weather is close to the Foothills region, just colder in the winter.

[NorCalWill]

Here is some info that might help you decide

https://www.norwichgardener.com/post/how-grow-sequoiadendron-giganteum-plant-care-tips/

apparently root rot can be an issue in climates with high humidity.

[Silas_Sancona]

7 minutes ago, NorCalWill said:

Here is some info that might help you decide

https://www.norwichgardener.com/post/how-grow-sequoiadendron-giganteum-plant-care-tips/

apparently root rot can be an issue in climates with high humidity.

That article has a couple faults..  Soil-wise, they are restricted to slopes composed of deep, old, Granite-based Alluvium. I don't think they'd survive on Limestone based, high Calcium soils. 

something in the " Protect from severe weather " section is another fault.. These can be buried in upwards of 12ft of Snow in winter ..no need to protect them from snow accumulating around them.

[NorCalWill]

19 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

That article has a couple faults..  Soil-wise, they are restricted to slopes composed of deep, old, Granite-based Alluvium. I don't think they'd survive on Limestone based, high Calcium soils. 

something in the " Protect from severe weather " section is another fault.. These can be buried in upwards of 12ft of Snow in winter ..no need to protect them from snow accumulating around them.

Yeah I agree, the "protect from severe weather" doesn't seem too accurate considering there is a lot of snow at 6,000 feet in the Sierras. Soil-wise, you'd have to do further research to see how they would do in a limestone based soil. However, they don't only grow in deep granite based alluvium that the native groves grow in, because that's not the type of soil in coastal California areas where they also grow successfully. I think they will tolerate a wide range of soils from what I have seen.

[necturus]

Might be better to try a dawn redwood.

[amh]

Thank you everyone for the input. With what I'm reading, water availability is my limiting factor for growing Sequoiadendron giganteum. 

6 hours ago, necturus said:

Might be better to try a dawn redwood.

I'm thinking this might be my best option, can Metasequoia glyptostroboides handle drought?

Can Taxodium mucronatum survive long term in zone7b/8a?

[hbernstein]

On 7/16/2023 at 12:45 AM, NorCalWill said:

Here is some info that might help you decide

https://www.norwichgardener.com/post/how-grow-sequoiadendron-giganteum-plant-care-tips/

apparently root rot can be an issue in climates with high humidity.

Exactly right. Soil biota are the problem. Seedlings might survive in pots, but are overwhelmed by soil organisms when planted.

[NorCalWill]

15 hours ago, amh said:

Thank you everyone for the input. With what I'm reading, water availability is my limiting factor for growing Sequoiadendron giganteum. 

I'm thinking this might be my best option, can Metasequoia glyptostroboides handle drought?

Can Taxodium mucronatum survive long term in zone7b/8a?

I would say Metasequoia doesn't handle drought or heat well based on my experience. I have a dwarf form, and when the temperature occasionally gets into the 90's, it starts to show signs of sunburn, so I have it in a part sun setting. I have to make sure it's watered well before a heat wave.

[Silas_Sancona]

18 hours ago, amh said:

Thank you everyone for the input. With what I'm reading, water availability is my limiting factor for growing Sequoiadendron giganteum. 

I'm thinking this might be my best option, can Metasequoia glyptostroboides handle drought?

Can Taxodium mucronatum survive long term in zone7b/8a?

There are a few Dawn Redwoods in TX. so they may survive there.  Trick is they need to be near a body of water.

Montezuma Cypress is another that is fairly common there.  Better if near water, but will withstand quite a bit of drought as well, far better than Bald Cypress can.. Supposedly hardy to 8A also.

Have mentioned numerous times that there is also a cross between Bald and Montezuma Cypress being grown in TX you could look into.

Pinus pinceana would be another unique conifer which can tolerate a lot of heat / cold. Taller, Blue-er, weepy foliage compared tot the native pinyon there.   It is exceptionally rare and seed is hard to come by -despite being native just south of TX.  I've seen some company out f Monterrey ( Mexico ) that had seed listed, but no clue if they sell / can sell seed to U.S. destinations.

[amh]

5 hours ago, NorCalWill said:

I would say Metasequoia doesn't handle drought or heat well based on my experience. I have a dwarf form, and when the temperature occasionally gets into the 90's, it starts to show signs of sunburn, so I have it in a part sun setting. I have to make sure it's watered well before a heat wave.

My plan would be to place any redwood at the edge of a forest for the extra water in the soil, but if your plant is showing sign of sunburn in the 90's, I don't think it will survive my property's climate.

49 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

There are a few Dawn Redwoods in TX. so they may survive there.  Trick is they need to be near a body of water.

Montezuma Cypress is another that is fairly common there.  Better if near water, but will withstand quite a bit of drought as well, far better than Bald Cypress can.. Supposedly hardy to 8A also.

Have mentioned numerous times that there is also a cross between Bald and Montezuma Cypress being grown in TX you could look into.

Pinus pinceana would be another unique conifer which can tolerate a lot of heat / cold. Taller, Blue-er, weepy foliage compared tot the native pinyon there.   It is exceptionally rare and seed is hard to come by -despite being native just south of TX.  I've seen some company out f Monterrey ( Mexico ) that had seed listed, but no clue if they sell / can sell seed to U.S. destinations.

I usually have 2 months of seasonal drought, but there is no longer any water in the area. 

My main concerns for Montezuma Cypress is that I get below 10F about every 5 years, and I never see the species planted north of San Antonio.

I really like the look of Pinus pinceana, do you know the true cold hardiness? I am seeing the species listed as zone 9 and zone 7.

Edited July 17, 2023 by amh
months not moths

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, amh said:

My plan would be to place any redwood at the edge of a forest for the extra water in the soil, but if your plant is showing sign of sunburn in the 90's, I don't think it will survive my property's climate.

I usually have 2 moths of seasonal drought, but there is no longer any water in the area. 

My main concerns for Montezuma Cypress is that I get below 10F about every 5 years, and I never see the species planted north of San Antonio.

I really like the look of Pinus pinceana, do you know the true cold hardiness? I am seeing the species listed as zone 9 and zone 7.

I don't and had seen the same range listed. I'm more curious about heat tolerance myself. . Would study hardiness maps / any other info regarding what the climate is around Monterrey / Saltillo.

 

[Xenon]

33 minutes ago, amh said:

My plan would be to place any redwood at the edge of a forest for the extra water in the soil, but if your plant is showing sign of sunburn in the 90's, I don't think it will survive my property's climate.

I usually have 2 months of seasonal drought, but there is no longer any water in the area. 

My main concerns for Montezuma Cypress is that I get below 10F about every 5 years, and I never see the species planted north of San Antonio.

 

There were some mature trees in Dallas and more in Austin. I don't know how they fared after 2021 (I assume they survived). SFA in Nacogdoches has one that was +/- undamaged by -4F in 2021. There are trees in College Station that saw 0-5F as well. 

I'm surprised you don't have one already! Seems to take plenty of heat and cold, probably even full-blown tropical conditions too. 

Edited July 17, 2023 by Xenon

[amh]

Just now, Xenon said:

There were some mature trees in Dallas and more in Austin. I don't know how they fared after 2021 (I assume they survived). SFA in Nacogdoches has one that was +/- undamaged by -4F in 2021. There are trees in College Station that saw 0-5F as well. 

Are the trees in college station producing cones?

Did the Araucaria angustifolia at SFA survive 2021?

[Xenon]

1 minute ago, amh said:

Are the trees in college station producing cones?

Did the Araucaria angustifolia at SFA survive 2021?

Haven't seen the trees in person, only post-freeze social media posts haha. Should be much more widespread in Houston...might be the eventual size 🙂

[amh]

Will Pinus ponderosa survive hot climates? I know the trees grow in mountains of west Texas, but will the grow below 1,500 feet?

[amh]

1 hour ago, amh said:

Will Pinus ponderosa survive hot climates? I know the trees grow in mountains of west Texas, but will the grow below 1,500 feet?

Will Pinus ponderosa survive in hot climates? I know these trees grow in the mountains of west Texas, but will these trees grow below 1,500 feet?

It is too hot for the brain to function normally, I'm so sorry for the ESL caveman grammar.

Edited August 5, 2023 by amh

[Silas_Sancona]

Here,  they only grow above 5kft.. None up at Oak Flat( 3900- 4100ft ), but you can see them poking above the ridge line atop Pinal Peak ( 5k+ ft ) from the flat.

Only " low growers ' i know of is a subspecies that grows on ridge tops in the Santa Cruz, and Santa Lucia Mountains back home. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, i'd come across some growing around 1,500ft ( where they get bathed in Fog regularly ) , but most were growing up higher. Same idea in the Santa Lucias.  There are also scattered groves on coast facing ridge tops in the Diablos ( Look up: Henry Coe State Park.. One of the more famous locations.  ), ..From roughly Santa Rosa to San Benito Mountain, just south of Idra.

Diablo Range typically runs hotter than the mountain ranges next to the coast, but it is still pleasant up there.  A few cultivated specimens here and there on the valley floor in San Jose / coastal S. Cal..but not a common sight.

 

[amh]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Here,  they only grow above 5kft.. None up at Oak Flat( 3900- 4100ft ), but you can see them poking above the ridge line atop Pinal Peak ( 5k+ ft ) from the flat.

Only " low growers ' i know of is a subspecies that grows on ridge tops in the Santa Cruz, and Santa Lucia Mountains back home. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, i'd come across some growing around 1,500ft ( where they get bathed in Fog regularly ) , but most were growing up higher. Same idea in the Santa Lucias.  There are also scattered groves on coast facing ridge tops in the Diablos ( Look up: Henry Coe State Park.. One of the more famous locations.  ), ..From roughly Santa Rosa to San Benito Mountain, just south of Idra.

Diablo Range typically runs hotter than the mountain ranges next to the coast, but it is still pleasant up there.  A few cultivated specimens here and there on the valley floor in San Jose / coastal S. Cal..but not a common sight.

 

I've read reports of ponderosa pine growing in Dallas, but I do not know about the long term success. I have a fondness for Pinus taeda, but I think it would need too much water.

There are a lot of desert/arid pines that can handle the heat and drought, but they will not handle the cold, basically I need something that will survive 5F to 120F.

[Silas_Sancona]

30 minutes ago, amh said:

I've read reports of ponderosa pine growing in Dallas, but I do not know about the long term success. I have a fondness for Pinus taeda, but I think it would need too much water.

There are a lot of desert/arid pines that can handle the heat and drought, but they will not handle the cold, basically I need something that will survive 5F to 120F.

 🤷‍♂️  Never know until you try it.  There's always your native Pinyon too.

What few species  " survive " in a majority of yards here are quickly getting picked off 1 by 1..  Low Desert = Not a place for traditional conifers. 

[amh]

3 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

 🤷‍♂️  Never know until you try it.  There's always your native Pinyon too.

What few species  " survive " in a majority of yards here are quickly getting picked off 1 by 1..  Low Desert = Not a place for traditional conifers. 

Pinus remota would be a good option, If I could ever find plants for sale.

[Silas_Sancona]

23 hours ago, amh said:

Pinus remota would be a good option, If I could ever find plants for sale.

Might contact Gary Foss, Oaks of the Wild west.. he as a location in Dripping Springs,  as well as one in Sierra Vista ( AZ ) He's had P. remota listed numerous times.   Not always easy to get a hold of though, but worth a shot.

If all else fails, a day trip into habitat to collect a handfull of seeds is always an option too.

[amh]

On 8/6/2023 at 11:25 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

Might contact Gary Foss, Oaks of the Wild west.. he as a location in Dripping Springs,  as well as one in Sierra Vista ( AZ ) He's had P. remota listed numerous times.   Not always easy to get a hold of though, but worth a shot.

If all else fails, a day trip into habitat to collect a handfull of seeds is always an option too.

Thank you for the info, I'll have to check that nursery out when things cool.

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, amh said:

Thank you for the info, I'll have to check that nursery out when things cool.

I should add( if you hadn't already noted it on his personal site )  he's a good source for uncommon Oaks too ( Check John Fairey too ) ..if you're tempted to try any of those,  though you may have to start small. 

Have only met him once, several years ago at a plant sale in Tucson, but seemed like a nice guy and well versed in his knowledge. Plants he had for sale ..Oaks, Juniper / Cypress ..and dome Pines looked good to my eyes.. 

Again though, that was a few years ago.. I'd heard he'd had a health scare not too long ago and was hoping he might be at the same plant-related event he'd attended when i first met him. Unfortunately, i was not able to make this year's sale.. So.. Hopefully next year,   ...if i don't contact him about some things beforehand.

[amh]

Does anyone know the true cold hardiness of Pinus pinea, the local orange store has them for sale. I'm seeing a range of zone 7 to 9.

[amh]

An update for this thread. I've bought 4 Araucaria angustifolia, an Araucaria araucana, and 4 Pinus pinea. I still have plans to acquire Pinus remota and maybe a Pinus taeda of Bastrop origin. I will be researching other conifers for now. Any suggestions?

[hbernstein]

Just an nutty idea: Pinus edulis or another of the Pinon Pine species? They can take droughty heat and plenty of cold.

[Silas_Sancona]

6 minutes ago, hbernstein said:

Just an nutty idea: Pinus edulis or another of the Pinyon Pine species? They can take droughty heat and plenty of cold.

Depends on two things ..How much rain they get, and how much heat they experience.. 3 sps grow in mid / higher - elevation areas here, and also in both S. Cal. / Baja,  and New Mexico, where it may get pretty warm, but nights are cool- ish.. That said, all have been disappearing from various areas as nights trend warmer higher up...

Same idea w/ rainfall.. Less consistent in recent years / decades = higher mortality / low or no recruitment after fires.  P. remota, and P pinceana, from the mountains W. of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mex. are the only two " Pinyons " that can tolerate longer duration drought / higher temperatures, but only so much. Johann's Pinyon, from a similar area as pinceana ( ..and nelsonii ) might also tolerate a little heat / drought too. Good luck finding seed though.

The holy grail of the Pinyons, P. maximartinezii,  and P. rzedowskii, may tolerate a touch more heat ( though likely not long stretches of 100F / 80+ nights. My pair of P. m's sure didn't, lol ), but are considered cold sensitive.

Pinus lagunae,  Laguna Pinyon, from the Sierra de la Laguna in Southern Baja Sur might have some heat tolerance as well, but good luck finding seed or seedlings of that one, anywhere.



Ital. Stone Pine may be a good choice.. Do wonder how it will tolerate the extreme winter lows there though, esp. when younger.  A couple research on the subject available online that may be worth a read.
 

[redbeard917]

I saw a redwood and a sequoia next to one another in an arboretum in France, where it probably experiences a summer, although not quite a Texas summer. One of them looked significantly better than the other, but I can't remember which one unfortunately.

There were also some Japanese conifers that were almost comparably girthy, which may be worth trying.

[hinovak]

So apparently your best chance is with a costal redwood according to this site. They have trialed a ton of conifers in southeast Texas. Seem to have the best info I’ve found for conifers in higher heat/humidity. Might take a look.

 

https://lovettpinetum.org/horticulture/conifers-for-southeast-texas/

[amh]

On 1/12/2024 at 2:12 PM, hbernstein said:

Just an nutty idea: Pinus edulis or another of the Pinon Pine species? They can take droughty heat and plenty of cold.

I am considering Pinus edulis, but have concerns with my heat and humidity. The pinyon pine species, Pinus remota grows within about 40 miles of my location, so it should be able to handle the humidity.

On 1/12/2024 at 2:59 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

Depends on two things ..How much rain they get, and how much heat they experience.. 3 sps grow in mid / higher - elevation areas here, and also in both S. Cal. / Baja,  and New Mexico, where it may get pretty warm, but nights are cool- ish.. That said, all have been disappearing from various areas as nights trend warmer higher up...

Same idea w/ rainfall.. Less consistent in recent years / decades = higher mortality / low or no recruitment after fires.  P. remota, and P pinceana, from the mountains W. of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mex. are the only two " Pinyons " that can tolerate longer duration drought / higher temperatures, but only so much. Johann's Pinyon, from a similar area as pinceana ( ..and nelsonii ) might also tolerate a little heat / drought too. Good luck finding seed though.

The holy grail of the Pinyons, P. maximartinezii,  and P. rzedowskii, may tolerate a touch more heat ( though likely not long stretches of 100F / 80+ nights. My pair of P. m's sure didn't, lol ), but are considered cold sensitive.

Pinus lagunae,  Laguna Pinyon, from the Sierra de la Laguna in Southern Baja Sur might have some heat tolerance as well, but good luck finding seed or seedlings of that one, anywhere.



Ital. Stone Pine may be a good choice.. Do wonder how it will tolerate the extreme winter lows there though, esp. when younger.  A couple research on the subject available online that may be worth a read.
 

My main concern with italian stone pine is ice storms, but I plan on locating these in areas protected from north winds. Most .edu and nursery websites list the species as zone 7 hardy, so I should be okay if those ratings are correct. The heat/drought issue is a concern, but my nighttime temperatures are high 60s/low 70s, in August. Pinus remota appears to be the all out cold, heat and drought winner.

[amh]

On 1/12/2024 at 4:54 PM, redbeard917 said:

I saw a redwood and a sequoia next to one another in an arboretum in France, where it probably experiences a summer, although not quite a Texas summer. One of them looked significantly better than the other, but I can't remember which one unfortunately.

There were also some Japanese conifers that were almost comparably girthy, which may be worth trying.

Good observations. Judging by the high temperatures Europe can have, I think the drought issue is my biggest limit here.

On 1/13/2024 at 12:07 AM, hinovak said:

So apparently your best chance is with a costal redwood according to this site. They have trialed a ton of conifers in southeast Texas. Seem to have the best info I’ve found for conifers in higher heat/humidity. Might take a look.

 

https://lovettpinetum.org/horticulture/conifers-for-southeast-texas/

I just might try a coastal redwood and if I buy small I wont lose too much money if it dies. I've looked at this site before and it has good information for most of the gulf. My issues is that I'm above 1000ft, so I'm dryer with cooler nights. On the other hand, because I'm located in a gulf state, I'm hot and humid compared to the western states.

[Silas_Sancona]

21 hours ago, amh said:

I am considering Pinus edulis, but have concerns with my heat and humidity. The pinyon pine species, Pinus remota grows within about 40 miles of my location, so it should be able to handle the humidity.

My main concern with italian stone pine is ice storms, but I plan on locating these in areas protected from north winds. Most .edu and nursery websites list the species as zone 7 hardy, so I should be okay if those ratings are correct. The heat/drought issue is a concern, but my nighttime temperatures are high 60s/low 70s, in August. Pinus remota appears to be the all out cold, heat and drought winner.

I think Ital Stone Pine would be ok... Ice? ..couldn't say how they'd handle that, but, ..very wind tolerant though.  Many BIG ..and i mean BIG, lol, old specimens around San Jose / Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay Areas that ..as far as i remember / have heard about, don't suffer limb issues during some of the nastier storm - related wind events there. ..That includes some huge specimens that were planted ..a tad too close to a house / apartment building.

As far as heat tolerance, there are apparently  6 specimens present in the U of A Campus Arboretum in Tucson, so.. they put up with at least " Tucson Heat " A bit drier than where you're at perhaps, but,  shows some adaptability at least..

Since they're everywhere at X-mass time, definitely doesn't hurt to try one.

Overall, agree, Pinus remota ..and pinceana, if / when someone offers seed / saplings of it again, would be your best options to pursue.



As far as Redwoods are concerned, ..That's definitely going to be a tougher call -anywhere- in the hotter summer areas of the S. E.  ..No matter what that site might say.   Even in San Jose, where they generally can do alright, in the valley,  starting to see trouble for Valley - grown specimens ..Though others look good -for now-

Grew up around all of the pictured specimens, esp the ones directly across from my grandparents, and the ones in the park in Los Gatos, ...and watched them go through -everything- weather-wise ( ..and a major earthquake, haha ) .

Cambrian Park Area ..Roughly Camden and Union Ave. Not sure what is going on here, but see this in other parts of San Jo' too. Can see a " healthy " redwood in the shot on the far right, below the Mex. Fan. 

Across from these, a majority of the Canary Island Dates, originally installed in the mid 90's when the shopping center ( out of view to the left, across Union Ave  ) was remodeled  have been dying off 1 by 1 since about a year after installation.  Only a few left.  Carl's Jr. has remained in the same spot , since - at least- the late 70s ..or so i was told growing up.



A few blocks north on Union Ave



Across from my grandparents in the Blossom Hill / Almaden Valley area of town. Outline a Townhouse complex behind that neighborhood.  House facing the street is the one that had the row of perfect Brahea edulis  growing in the planting bed between them and their neighbor on the left. Further to the left, two of the other neighbors on our street started planting palms in the late 90s / early 2ks. Old view ( from 2013 ) but everything is still there.



Central park,  ..or more correctly: " Los Gatos Town Plaza Park ".. South end of Downtown Los Gatos. Trees look good, but, having spent half of my life around them, can tell they've thinned a bit. 

Hard to tell in this shot, but, the low, green things, below the huge Canary lurking in front of the building on the right are Pygmy Dates..  Were installed in the mid 90s when that building was freshened up a bit. Haven't flinched much during the colder winters there.  

Los Gatos was one of the areas closer to home that suffered some decent damage during the Lome Prieta Quake, though i don't recall any of the buildings on this end of town being damaged.

When it rolls in, Fog will roar through this gap ( on the lefty ) in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the background. Can go from 95F and a touch hot, to breezy, brisk,  and 65F in less than an hour here when the marine layer is cranking over the hills.




It's only been in the past ..Decade?? or so that i've started to notice some of these specimens that had looked perfect, in the recent past, starting to thin out ..or flat out die off when snooping around the homeland on streetview..  Could be a localized issue in some cases of course, ..but,  what i'm noticing be a sign of bigger changes occurring, ..more pronounced troubles ahead. We'll see.

That said, where happy,  they are magnificent, even when towering over a tiny house..

[amh]

On 1/18/2024 at 12:41 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

I think Ital Stone Pine would be ok... Ice? ..couldn't say how they'd handle that, but, ..very wind tolerant though.  Many BIG ..and i mean BIG, lol, old specimens around San Jose / Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay Areas that ..as far as i remember / have heard about, don't suffer limb issues during some of the nastier storm - related wind events there. ..That includes some huge specimens that were planted ..a tad too close to a house / apartment building.

As far as heat tolerance, there are apparently  6 specimens present in the U of A Campus Arboretum in Tucson, so.. they put up with at least " Tucson Heat " A bit drier than where you're at perhaps, but,  shows some adaptability at least..

Since they're everywhere at X-mass time, definitely doesn't hurt to try one.

Overall, agree, Pinus remota ..and pinceana, if / when someone offers seed / saplings of it again, would be your best options to pursue.

The sudden seasonal availability is what made me research and buy the Italian stone pines. I have plenty of room for mature specimens and I think they will work for my rear re-foresting project.

 

As far as redwoods go, this might just be a pipe dream, but I'll keep thinking about it. I would be in a good area if it wasn't for the occasional extreme drought. 

[amh]

A bit of an update.

My 5 araucarias are growing well and handling my climate, so far.  The Araucaria araucana is growing at a snail's pace, but it is not bothered by the heat and humidity.

It is a good beginning to a Southern Cone garden.

[ahosey01]

If you have a really wet spot or just really heavy soil how about Glyptostrobus pensilis?

I also successfully grew Metasequoia glyptostroboides in neutral-pH soil in Arizona until the new owner didn't water it enough.

[amh]

21 hours ago, ahosey01 said:

If you have a really wet spot or just really heavy soil how about Glyptostrobus pensilis?

I also successfully grew Metasequoia glyptostroboides in neutral-pH soil in Arizona until the new owner didn't water it enough.

I'm on really fast draining clay loam.

I've considered both Metasequoia glyptostroboides and Taxodium mucronatum , but I'm more interested in evergreens.

I'm currently researching the true cold hardiness of Nageia nagi.