"Quiet Spot" - Living Redwood Sequoia Burl

Okay, this thing is such a pleasure I just love it. It is a Redwood burl that has been cut off the stump it was on and continues to grow new shoots and eventually will re-root if all goes well.

One interesting thing about a few different types of trees is the creation of what are called "burls" from some physical trauma to the tree. Often very very large burl braches will grow downward kind of like a kickstand on a bike. This kickstand does not have any new grow off its old wood but stays alive and continuously recieves a hormone from the rest of the tree. As the tree grows this kickstand or burl will grow high up the tree as it grows older. New burls will form and will make their way up as time goes on.

Now, lets say the Redwood gets hit by lightning and the top half gets split from the bottom half. By this time the burl is on the top half of the tree which is now seperated from the trunk and root system, essentially its lifeline of nutrients. When this happens the aformentioned hormone ceases to be delivered to the burl.

What happens at this time is quite interesting. The top half of the tree is on the ground with an old burl on it, but instead of decaying into the ground both male and female hormones get activated and new shoots will start growing out of the fallen normally doomed tree. Eventually the fallen tree will root and start the whole process over again.

What a survival mechanism!! Anyhow, here is one of my Sequoia burls I horsed around with by puting it into a water colored humidity tray, added some rocks, moss etc then filled the tray with water and added a fisherman.

If you can locate a Big Leaf Maple Burl or Sequoia Burl just set it on a plate with water. Follow the same rules of feeding nutrients as though it were in the ground. I give it organic vegatative nutrients every 2 weeks during spring. Be sure to scrape any algae off the bottom of the burl if you do not wish for roots to grow. Also, feel free to take cuttings from the burl. Enjoy!!