Decorating a home garden or your backyard is never complete without planting a magnificent tree in it. Trees not only provide shade and filter the air but also beautify the space and add a touch of nature to the surrounding. Hazel Smith Sequoia is a cold-hardy, low-maintenance, conical tree that proves to be a great outdoor plant. It is a cultivar of the Sequoiadendron genus and cultivated from the Giant Sequoia tree. This cultivar has stunning bluish-green foliage and a pyramidal shape. Let’s learn some more interesting facts about this long-lasting tree. Also, there is a detailed care guide included for your help and guidance.
Hazel Smith Sequoia Classification
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Genus: Sequoiadendron
- Cultivar: S. Hazel Smith
Origin and Distribution
In 1980, Hazel Smith and her husband Don planted the seedling of this cultivar in Watnong Nursery. This Sequoia cultivar was named after the Smiths. This tree stands today in the same place. It is native to New Jersey, South America.
Hazel Smith Sequoia Appearance
Foliage
This hardy cultivar has bluish-green foliage with upswept branches. The tree is in a pyramidal conical shape. The branches are more open in their younger years; the tree becomes compact as it ages.
Size
The mature tree occupies a space of 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
Hazel Smith Sequoia Care
Quick Guide
- Watering: Every week when potted, and twice per month if grown outdoors.
- Soil type and pH: Well-draining acidic soil.
- Sunlight: Full sun.
- Temperature: Cold-hardy.
- Humidity: Moderate humidity.
- Fertilizer: A low-nitrogen fertilizer every year before the season of active growth.
Here are the detailed points.
Hazel Smith Sequoia Watering
This plant needs regular watering to stay green and healthy. If you grow its young form in a pot, you should water it once every week. The plant must be watered thoroughly and deeply so that enough water reaches its roots. On the other hand, if grown in soil in the home garden or backyard, it needs less watering. Watering this tree twice per month would be enough in winters. If you have doubts about the watering schedule, you should follow the general rule of thumb: water the plant when the topsoil dries out.
Soil Requirements
Sequoiadendron Giganteum Hazel Smith needs to be planted in fast-draining soil that does not retain extra moisture. Only in well-draining soil would it be safe from root rot, which is a common disease of this cultivar. It also prefers acidic soil over neutral or alkaline potting mix. You can lower the soil’s pH by spraying it with diluted vinegar.
Hazel Smith Sequoia Sunlight
It is an outdoor plant that needs full sun to grow properly. It is one main reason it cannot be grown indoors. 4 to 6 hours of daily direct sunlight is essential for the healthy growth of its bluish-green foliage.
Temperature Requirements
It is one of the hardiest species of plants you can ever grow in your home. This plant can survive temperatures as low as -20°C. It is why it can also be grown in growth zone 5. This tree can tolerate frosts and extreme winters. So it is a great plant for those who live in colder regions and end up killing all tropical houseplants.
Humidity
Hazel Smith Sequoia can do pretty well in moderate humidity. As long as the humidity stays between 50% and 60%, this plant stays green and happy. This plant can regulate its humidity on its own by transpiration. You just have to water it more on a dry day; it will transpire and increase the humidity around it itself.
Fertilizer
This tree needs on-time fertilization. You should fertilize it yearly before every spring. This food before the season of active growth will help it produce healthy leaves. You should use low nitrogen fertilizer for this plant. The fertilizer should also be diluted before adding it to the soil. Add one tablespoon of fertilizer to a gallon of water. Pour this water on the soil. The soil must be moist before fertilization.
Grooming and Pruning
Sequoiadendron Giganteum Hazel Smith needs to be pruned occasionally. Its appearance and foliage are groomed by frequent trimming. If it is a baby plant, you can easily trim it by yourself. However, you will find it difficult to prune a matured Sequoia. A disinfected pair of gardening shears should be used for pruning. You can disinfect your shears by holding them under a knife or washing them with rubbing alcohol or ethanol.
How to Propagate Hazel Smith Sequoia?
This tree can be propagated through cuttings. If your Hazel Smith Sequoia is large and healthy enough to give off healthy shoots, you should surely propagate it. You can take multiple cuttings at a time as well. Here is the correct way to propagate it.
- Using a disinfected knife, take a healthy cutting that is 4 inches long.
- Trim the sides using scissors.
- Place the cutting in the rooting hormone. The side with the wound must be dipped.
- Take a pot and fill it with a potting mix.
- Plant the cutting into the pot.
- Place it under full sun.
- Leave the cutting in the pot until it grows to notable size.
- Once it reaches a medium height, move the baby Sequoia to your home garden soil.
Hazel Smith Sequoia Basic Features
Hazel Smith Sequoia Growth Rate
It is a fast-growing tree that grows 3 feet per year. Its growth rate is faster than its parent species. The ideal USDA plant hardiness growth zones of this plant are 6 to 8.
Toxicity
This plant is a poisonous variety that can trigger severe reactions if ingested in large quantities. So if you are growing a mini version of it in your room, do not let your children or pets near it.
Drought Tolerance
This plant is not tolerant of droughts. It needs regular watering for healthy growth. So never leave your plant thirsty for a long time.
Hazel Smith Sequoia Maintenance
It is a low-maintenance tree that requires minimal care and attention. It just needs occasional pruning and watering to stay happy and thriving. So if you plan to grow it in your home garden, this plant is a good choice.
Dormancy
In winters, Hazel Smith Sequoia goes dormant and slows down its growth rate. You should not water it less when it is dormant than the months of active growth.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Diseases
This plant is prone to root rot, heart rot disease, and many fungal diseases. These diseases affect the plant when the moisture is too high. If your plant gets affected, trim all the infectious parts first and then spray the foliage with fungicide.
Pests
Wood borer and carpenter ants are two common pests that you will notice around this tree. These two dangerous pests must be treated by insecticidal spray. Spray all the holes and their nests to get rid of them completely.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hazel Smith Sequoia
Can I Grow My Hazel Smith Sequoia Indoors?
This plant needs full sun to grow. Also, it needs enough room to grow to its mature height. You will have to grow it in your backyard or home garden. But if you have a baby Sequoia, it can survive your indoor environment for some time.
Why Is My Tree Turning Brown?
If the lower branches are turning brown, it is normal. These are just the old branches that are ready to be shed by the tree. But if the upper branches have turned brown and crisp, you have a problem. It is due to a poor watering schedule. In such a case, you should water your plant more.
How Long Does Hazel Smith Sequoia Live?
This plant has a long lifespan; it is going to stay in your garden for generations! This magnificent tree lives for 1800 to 2700 years.
Conclusion
Hazel Smith Sequoia is one great outdoor tree to grow in the backyard. It is a hardy cultivar that has better characteristics than its parent plant. It is more resistant to problems and harsh conditions. This is why it is easy maintenance and can also be grown by beginners. If you become successful in growing this tree in your home, it will stay there for thousands of years!
