Re: Fact or fiction, do Coastal Redwoods absorb water through their needles ?

Hi, 

To my knowledge, the root is the most important organ for absorbing water, 
and once the root is destroyed, the plant can hardly recover. The redwood 
prefer not only the humidity of SF, but also the consisent mild temperature, 
I do not think the failure for water to reach high is the reason. Moreover, 
since there is complex vascular system connecting root and other part of 
plant, graft root is very difficult. A horticulture expert can give you more 
advice on it. 

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Admin note:

David Hershey adds the following:

It is possible for plants to absorb water through their leaves when it is
foggy or the relative humidity is near 100% but it is not absolutely
required for California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). The main effect of
fog seems to be reducing transpiration and condensing on the tree and
adding water to the soil via "fog drip". California redwoods have been
cultivated as landscape trees well outside their natural range in the
coastal California fog belt, including warmer parts of Europe, especially
England, the eastern United States, Australia, and New Zealand (Hewes
1981).

Although outside the California redwood natural range, the University of
California at Davis, near Sacramento, has many California redwoods despite
hot, dry summers. However, the trees in Davis must be irrigated.
California redwood is considered an excellent landscape tree and can grow
3 to 5 feet per year (Sunset 1985). Cultivated trees have not yet reached
the world record heights (over 300 feet) as in their natural habitat but
have exceeded 200 feet in New Zealand (Redwood Home Page) and can reach 70
to 90 feet in 25 years (Sunset 1985).


Boston winters are too cold for California redwoods to survive because
there are only hardy down to 5 to 10 degrees F (Wyman 1990). You might be
able to grow Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glytostroboides) which is hardier.

David Hershey

References:

Hewes, J.J. 1981. Redwoods: The World's Largest Trees. New York: Gallery
Books.

Redwood Home Page

Sunset. 1985. New Western Garden Book. Menlo Park, CA: Lane.

Wyman, D. 1990. Trees for American Gardens. New York: Macmillan.