Question:
There are currently four fifteen-foot redwood trees along our rear fence. These trees are spaced about ten feet apart and are within twenty feet of the pool. The corner tree has a six-foot retaining wall beneath the fence. Could the retaining wall and the pool be at risk? Can redwood trees be kept smaller by trimming them seasonally? Also, how can I remove the reddish-gray needles?Answer:
- Redwoods are fast-growing evergreen trees that can grow three feet per year.
- Growth rates vary depending on soil quality, water availability, and climate. Young redwoods grow faster than older trees, especially in their first few decades.
- They have a shallow root system with large surface roots that thrive in moist conditions. While the tree roots usually won't cause issues for a pool, needle drop, depending on the wind, can be a nuisance. Additionally, the needles might irritate your neighbors. Depending on how close they are to the fence, both the trunks and roots could cause problems. With a retaining wall nearby, I would be concerned about the potential impact of the roots and moisture.
- Unlike pines, cedars, and cypress, redwoods are not drought-tolerant trees.
- They are better suited for lawns or areas with ground cover rather than isolated spots. Depending on temperatures, they may need semi-weekly watering or more after the rainy season ends.
- It's essential to water from the trunk to the drip line. Also, year-round watering can threaten the retaining wall's stability if proper drainage isn't in place.
- Conversely, irregular watering during dry seasons can cause the reddish-gray needles to appear and harm the overall health of the trees.
- Seasonal pruning isn't effective because redwoods grow too rapidly. Topped redwood trees look unattractive.
- Given all these factors, I recommend having an arborist visit the site for a second opinion.
Question:
I would like to know if I can dig up and relocate a small, two-year-old, ground squirrel-planted walnut tree? Will it produce nuts?Answer:
- Seedling walnuts can be successfully transplanted when they are dormant.
- Walnut trees are dormant between December and February. However, the odds of a seedling walnut producing an edible crop of nuts are slim.
- The walnut seedling is the result of two unknown parents that have cross-pollinated. There is no way to predict whether a seedling will be productive. Seedling trees are unknown until they are grown to see what develops.
- This is why all fruit and nut trees are reproduced by grafting or budding, because the offspring are predictable. If it does produce, it's more than likely going to be a Black Walnut and not the typical English Walnut. English Walnut is budded onto a Black Walnut rootstock. Most of the English Walnut trees have been removed or died off, with the Black Walnut remaining.
- Also, walnut trees are not suitable for our smaller yards because they grow very large.