We planted five approximately 5-foot Sequoia's on our property in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island last November. Four of the five are turning a pinkish brown colour. The trees are located on a slight slope in full sun. When planting we put topsoil, fish compost and a few trowel scoops of bone meal in the planting holes, then refilled with the "soil" that had been removed for planting. Our soil is very rocky; in fact more rock than "soil". With all the rain we've had since planting, they are certainly well watered. Any information as to whether this is normal, or otherwise suggestions as to what we can do to help these trees survive and thrive would be most appreciated.
Might be too wet. For Horticultural techniques for successful plant establishment have a look at http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda chalker-scott/FactSheets/Planting fact sheet.pdf and for The Myth of Beneficial Bone Meal click on http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultural Myths_files/Myths/Bonemeal.pdf
Thanks so much. This is my first forum and first post. It seems quite extraordinary to be able to access such assistance, especially so quickly! Having followed the planting instructions of the nursery very carefully, it's a bit discouraging as a novice to find that we may have been misguided. The good news is that we'll have plenty of opportunity to use the new information in future as there is much more planting and gardening to be done here. Do you think the trees will recover as weather becomes dryer over the coming months or should we consider trying to relocate them? The latter would be something of a nightmare, but not as bad as dead trees.
Dig around and have a look at the inside of the original soil balls and the planting holes, to look for hints at what problems there may be. Sections of damp stagnation or dust-like dryness would be strong hints. The Myth of Indisputable Information “Nursery brochures are always the best sources of appropriate planting practices” http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda ...l Myths_files/Myths/Planting instructions.pdf
Skip the fish compost too. As well as being potentially harmful to the trees, it is also very damaging to fish.
I had some Sequoiadendrons in pots for a couple of years and they grew well. They did turn a slight bit pinkish and changed after the winter. Was not sure why, thought it may have been the same as what the Western Red Cedar shows (red color) through the winter. Do not notice it now that they are planted in the ground.
