Spring Green and Little Trees

I hope you’ve been enjoying the “spring green” nature has been revealing these past few weeks. Like the fall colors, spring green is all too brief. Unlike the fall colors, which are the result of the chlorophyll breaking down in trees’ leaves to reveal the colors behind it, spring green is the maturing of the chlorophyll in the trees’ new leaves that eventually becomes darker in color. Like the millions of birds migrating back to the area, spring green is the reassuring reminder that the days are getting longer and summer will be here before we realize it.

On the topic of trees and new growth, I’ve started a new project: raising Giant Sequoia trees. I found a nursery that sells them in quantity and now have 34 of the little giants in an enclosure on my deck. Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are members of the Redwood Family, evergreens abundant around the world 13 million years ago during the Miocene Period. Today’s Giant Sequoias are among 15 remaining species of Redwoods and have been called the “monarch of all conifers” and the “godlike giants of the Golden Age.” When mature, they’re Earth’s largest living species and among the longest lived, with an estimated lifespan of 3,000 years.

Since starting to grow my little giants, I’ve been asked, “What [in the world] are you going to do with them?!” Adopt them out, of course. They’ll stay potted for the next year or so then will need to be transplanted to a sunny location with good soil drainage that’s somewhat protected from high winds, which can dry them out. “Will they survive here in upstate New York?” Perhaps. They can handle temperatures down the minus 10 degrees, so I’m hoping once they’re established, they’ll be able to grow to maturity. On that topic, I figure if my little giants reach their full potential, I’ll have to come back over the course of 40 lifetimes (living an average of 75 years each) to ensure they’re doing well. Or be a devoted ghost over the next 3,000 years.

If you’re interested in adopting one of my little giants, let me know. I’ll probably ask $10 to cover my per tree expenses. Be aware, though, I plan on checking on them. Caveat emptor.

In faith,
J.K.