Dawn Redwood

Hi,I asked recently about coastal redwood and found my tree is in fact a dawn redood. I've heard they can be difficult but as mine is still in the ground I need as much advice as I can get. Such as digging up and root pruning,branch pruning,wiring and styling,soil and fertilizing. Anything I should be aware of? Please help,The tree is 6 feet tall and has been reduced down 3 times and has a root base about 8 inches at soil level. I've heard wiring often kills the branches,again please help

I really wish I knew more about the Dawn Redwood so I could help you. I really want a redwood for my collection.

In my opinion the dawn redwood has no advantage over a bald cyress, it has bigger leaves, coarser groth and not quite as forgiving, and its fall color is not as good as a bald cypress, for this reason I planted all 3 of my big dawn redwoods as yard trees and am going to focus attention on the cypress which I know 100% wont lose limbs due to wire.

Yes, but you can't get bald cypress easily in the UK where John lives and it would therefore be considered more of a "specialist" tree for bonsai. Dawn Redwood are probably my favourite arboretum tree in the UK. I have a couple I am turning into bonsai and I haven't encountered any issues with wiring. They have only just started their bonsai journey and are not worthy of photographing yet.

However, at the moment we can only talk in abstract terms as we have no idea what the particular tree you are talking about looks like. It would be very helpful if you can post some good pics of it, John, so we can see things such as how many lower branches there are and the overall shape and structure of the tree.

And since the impression you give is that you intend to dig this up, I wouldn't be too worried about styling aspects right now as you will have to leave it in its new location for a while to let it recover and grow healthy enough for the next stage. Don't be in too much of a rush - it's a deciduous tree and must surely be at the point of coming into leaf. I wouldn't be digging it up at this point of the year.

bucknbonsai wrote:In my opinion the dawn redwood has no advantage over a bald cyress, it has bigger leaves, coarser groth and not quite as forgiving, and its fall color is not as good as a bald cypress, for this reason I planted all 3 of my big dawn redwoods as yard trees and am going to focus attention on the cypress which I know 100% wont lose limbs due to wire.

I agree. Do you have import problems like we do here in the US? If not, maybe you can buy one and have it shipped. If not possible, then Dawn Redwood is a decent substitute.

I know you mean well in suggesting alternatives, but.... John has a Dawn Redwood and has asked our advice on that.



btw it is possible to get Bald Cypress over here from specialist tree nurseries but we don't have the climate conditions of those States where BC thrives. If any UK based posters wish to comment on BC and its possibilities over here then possibly a new thread would be in order.

Fiona
Harry Harrington has one on his site. There is not much difference in BC compaired to DR in horticulture care and all Bonsai techniques.

Mitch

Mitch Thomas wrote:Fiona
Harry Harrington has one on his site. There is not much difference in BC compaired to DR in horticulture care and all Bonsai techniques.

Mitch

To an extent you're right as BC and Dawn Redwood are often styled in the same way. All I was doing was pointing out that there was little value in suggesting he imports a BC instead of working with the tree he has. He will also still have to remember that the growing conditions of the two are different though, so while the trees are often treated the same stylistically, he has to remember that the north of England does not have the high humidity and warmth of the US swamplands in which BC thrive. It also has ice. Often, lots of it. And it can often have winter temperatures below -10C. That may affect the timing of what he does and how he looks after it.

Fiona
I have to agree with you Climate is everything. That being said if you can grow them in the ground you should be able to grow them in a bonsai pot. Although you may need some extra winter care. I guess you have to ask yourself is zone or plant envy really worth it?

Mitch

His Dawn Redwood will be fine as it is an often used arbortum tree here. If they survive in Scotland, they'll survive in the north of England. I love them - and not just because it was always a good laugh listening to students trying to pronounce the botanical name.

fiona wrote:I know you mean well in suggesting alternatives, but.... John has a Dawn Redwood and has asked our advice on that.



btw it is possible to get Bald Cypress over here from specialist tree nurseries but we don't have the climate conditions of those States where BC thrives. If any UK based posters wish to comment on BC and its possibilities over here then possibly a new thread would be in order.

Good point Fiona!