Strange Redwoods Fri, 14 May 2021 03:58:11 +0000 Joomla! - Open Source Content Management en-gb The Reno Coast Redwood





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 So how can a Coast Redwood survive such an inhospitable climate of the Big Basin Desert? The answer lies in the microclimates of Reno. Situated near the downtown area, the tree is receiving some much-needed help. First, the tree is situated within the 'heat bubble' of the downtown area which sees slightly higher winter low temperatures than the surrounding desert. Second, the tree is growing on a slight slope above the Reno Valley where cold air tends to pool on winter nights. Third, the tree is also on the wind-protected side of the house preventing cold dry winds from drying out the foliage. Fourth, the tree receives some indirect light which helps moderates winter temperatures and aids the tree's adaptation to the cold. Fifth and not least, the tree does receive supplemental irrigation giving it the edge it needs to survive.

As you can see, the leader of the tree has been burned back due to the extremely low temperatures the tree has experienced over the years. For more information on cold-tolerant Coast Redwoods, see the 2017 Tales of White Trees article within this website.

 2018 Update: We received sad news in August that Nevada's lone cold-tolerant Coast Redwood was cut down to make way for a new UNR development. Efforts to have this tree relocated in a similar manner to the Cotati Tree were rejected by university staff as being too cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, before the tree was removed, cuttings were taken by local horticulturists to preserve the genetics of this unique little tree.



]]> (Tom Stapleton) Green Redwoods Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:32:49 +0000