Redwood Burl Cooked in Hot Car: Likely Dead

You left a redwood burl in a hot car; now it has white mold and no growth. Car temps hit 130°F+—you baked it.

Why It’s Dead

• Burls are living tissue (dormant buds + meristem).
• Extended heat >100°F denatures proteins, kills cells.
• White mold = secondary fungi on dead tissue.

Can It Recover?

Almost certainly not. No growth after heat + mold = dead.

Lesson

Never leave plants in a closed vehicle. Even “quick” stops can be fatal.

Bottom Line

Sorry—your burl is cooked. Replace it and keep future plants out of hot cars.