How to Propagate Redwood Trees from Burls

Redwood burls—those knobby, tumor-like growths on the trunks of coast redwoods—can sprout into dozens of tiny trees when placed in water. If you’ve brought a burl home from a place like Muir Woods and watched it send up a forest of miniature redwoods, you may wonder how to transition those sprouts into real, soil-grown trees.

From Water to Soil

The burl itself is a mass of dormant bud tissue. When kept moist, it awakens and produces numerous shoots. However, these seedlings cannot remain in water indefinitely; they need a proper growing medium to develop strong root systems.

Step-by-Step Transplanting

1. Separate the seedlings. Gently dip the burl into a container of water and tease apart the individual sprouts, taking care not to damage their delicate roots.
2. Pot them up. Plant each seedling in its own pot filled with a well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
3. Grow on for at least 60 days. Allow the young trees to establish a robust root system in their individual containers. Provide bright, indirect light and protect from extreme temperatures.
4. Plant out. Once the seedlings are sturdy, you can plant the entire pot (or transplant the root ball) into a prepared garden site. Choose a location with ample space, good drainage, and partial to full sun.

Long-Term Care

Redwoods are slow-growing but long-lived. Keep the soil around young trees evenly moist, especially during the first few years. Apply a balanced tree fertilizer spike once in spring and once in midsummer. With patience, you’ll cultivate a majestic redwood that few gardeners can claim.