Similar to dendo, I do not water frequently. Frequent watering has been shown in scientific studies to reduce root growth compared to water-stressed plants. I can provide at least one study if you are interested. I planted several dawn redwoods a couple yrs back. They went through 2 yrs of record drought. I thought some were dead after the 2nd year. I even did the bark scratch test and they looked gone - for some reason on dawn redwoods that test is not as reliable. I started to dig one up that I was sure was dead and found a huge root system had developed. That tree is now thriving. Another interested tidbit I will share from a conversation last week with a forester I work: I mentioned how most of my trees survived the long drought with very little rain. He was not surprised. He mentioned their root system is likely superb compared to well water trees. He told me how he had planted some red cedars and was watering weekly for quite a while. He left for a couple weeks, came back and they were all turning brown. He was confident is was due to the fact the roots were not developing nearly as fast due to his frequent waterings (similar to how lawn grass roots fail to develop with frequent waterings). I would give a good watering now and then not water again unless you go 2-3 weeks without rain. You will not notice a lot above ground growth the first couple years, but the roots will take off. Starting in year 3 or 4 you will reap the benefits with unbelievable above ground growth. Yes, if you water a lot the first couple years, you will see more above ground growth but this will limit root growth. Root growth is much more important than above ground growth the first couple years for newly planted trees. Also, don't give up if you think a small tree is dead. Give it until at least the next spring before digging up. John

It's about time GW has zones appearing after our names. I requested they add that as well as soil type a few years back but never heard back from them. Thanks coniflora. For my behalf I had either forgotten a grafted plant kept characteristics (probably slim margins in all cases though, I would have to think) ..easier. Anyway, that's maybe my favorite thing in the world to do. Grafting that is. Dax P.s. And Noki, you pick up the pace real quickly. Just like becoming a BMX racer! And other times, you do have to work with the wood until you're satisfied everything is a go. Some grafts take me 5 minutes each. Those darn ones with the tiny wood are difficult to hold onto as well and that's on top of just the finicky ones in general. Then there's the ones where your blade cuts right through the entire understock! that one tees me off. Then there's the a to the b to c to the d .... you're always adjusting to occomodate. It's a lot of common sense technique-wise it becomes apparent rather fast. And there are no rules if you would please allow me to say when you understand what it's going to take to get those two wounds to ajoin.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides. A true 'Living' fossil'. Considered one of the three 'true redwoods' and a member of the family Cupressaceae or Cypress family. The last one I've seen in person, was at the Japanese gardens by Rockford Illinois (6-2-18). This one grew a little less 'branchy' growing amongst other trees in the garden. :^)

imo... the only reason to keep tree low .. is to hide that buttwipe neighbor you dont want to see for the rest of your life.. lol .. that said.. i dont prune up conifers.. that self mulch and kill all that tries to grow under them... like water hog pines that suck up all the water under them.. when they are 20 or 30 feet tall ... same with spruce.. etc .. in teh pic above.. its a shame bengs tree is 20 feet to close to the structure .... and 20 feet too close to the utility lines.. who placed that tree .??? another reason to prune up.. is to see the garden or plants behind.. that you want to also see from the beer drinking throne on the patio ... or deck ken