Majestic Giants: The Redwood Trees

Redbud Tree

The graceful redbud tree, or Cercis Canadensis, is a harbinger of spring with its racemes of pink-violet flowers. Native to the Mediterranean, it is now a familiar sight in the southern United States. It is also related to the pea, and its flowers resemble pea flowers. Hardy Zones Where Redbud Tree Grows It does best in warmer climates, so it is appropriate for hardiness zones 6 to 9, where the lowest winter temperature is never under -5 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is a small deciduous type that grows from 15 to 25 feet tall. It has a round, 15 to 25-foot round made of zigzagging twigs. Some grow as tall as 50 feet, though in the wild, it’s often an understory that grows in the partial shade of taller ones. It has several trunks and many branches and is heart-shaped, with alternate leaves that are 3 to 5 inches long. The margins are entire, which means there are no indentations or leaflets. They are smooth on top and glaucous beneath and have palmate veins. At first, the leaves are an attractive bronzy red, then lush green in the summer, and finally, shades of yellow or light brown in the fall. These colors ensure that the leaf is showy for most of the year. Soil Recommendations For The Redbud Tree Redbud Trees grow best in fertile, alkaline soil, though they do well in sandy, clayey, or loamy soil. They prefer the soil's pH to be between 6.0 and 8.0 and need good drainage, though they can tolerate periods of dryness. They flourish in full or indirect sunlight and need medium watering. They can tolerate deer and pollution and can be planted near black walnuts. Black walnuts release a poison that often kills other plants near them. Bloom Color Of the Redbud Tree Their breathtaking beauty is because the flowers appear well before the foliage. They are a stunning pink-violet or rosy-purple and arrive in great masses over old growth. About 3/4 of an inch long, they grow straight from the stems, branches, and even the trunk. They have fused sepals and five petals and are edible. This is one of the first to bloom in the south. The bloom season is usually from March to April, but they can bloom as early as February in warmer areas. The blossoms attract bees and other pollinators struggling to find nectar so early in the season. When the flowers fade, they are replaced by long 4-inch long seed pods. These pods, which are deep purple, are mature in the summer but can be seen on them into the winter. The pods resembled a weaver’s shuttle, or kerkis to the Greeks. This gave its genus name. When the pods split open, the seeds are eaten by birds The redbud tree is easy to take care of and needs a bit of pruning and fertilizer in the spring.

Sugar Maple Tree

Sugar Maple Trees are best known for their bright fall foliage and being the primary syrup source; they are native to the northeast United States. The deciduous type can reach heights of 80-115 feet tall, sometimes exceptionally reaching 148 feet. At ten years old, it usually is about 16 feet tall. When healthy, these can live for over 400 years. The leaves are deciduous, with up to 20 cm of length and equal width and five palmate lobes. The Sugar Maple Tree Loves Acidic Soil They can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 3-8. The Acer saccharum prefers deep, acidic to slightly alkaline, and well-drained soil. It has moderate drought tolerance but prefers moist soil conditions. At maturity, the acer saccharum grows to 60-75 feet, with a crown of 40-50 feet. It has a slow to medium growth rate and increases in height anywhere from less than 12 inches to 24 inches per year. Sugar Maple Tree Is Good For Shade And Decor It's both an ornamental and a shade type; it features a spreading canopy that can block sunlight while adding beauty and visual interest to landscaping. Full sun and partial shade are best for them, and they prefer at least four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. Sugar Maple Tree Has Stunning Orange Foliage In The Fall The sugar maple tree puts on quite a show in the fall, with beautiful leaves turning red, yellow, and burnt orange. In wildlife, they are commonly browsed by moose, white-tailed deer, and snowshoe hare. The seeds, twigs, leaves, and buds feed squirrels. Since it is fast-growing, easy to transplant, and has beautiful color, the sugar maple tree was a favorite type for streets and parks in the 19th century. Ultimately, it proved too delicate to continue in that role, but it is still great for commercial use in syrup production.

Redwood Tree

Redwood trees are not suitable for small gardens. This is because the giant sequoia grows with age. However, it is possible to grow yours if the area fits the specifications. The tree can be grown outside of its designed climatic conditions but with some modifications. It is in its natural habitat in hardiness zone nine, but it is also possible, with extra care, to grow it in zones 5, 7, and 8. Mature Height and Width Of The Redwood Tree It is difficult to determine the mature size of the giants as they grow continuously. The tallest is reportedly 379.1 feet tall and 13 feet wide. Their average growth rate is five feet annually. Bloom Color and Bloom Season Of The Redwood Tree Their reproductive maturity occurs after five or ten years of planting. It is noteworthy that the female and male reproductive parts of fertilization are found on the same tree. Therefore, there need to be no trees nearby for pollination to occur. Patience Is Needed With the Redwood Tree It is important to note that redwood trees take much care to grow so that we may have few in stock. Additionally, patience is needed during the process, which can occur as early as the first few days of planting or as long as a few months.