Jack Sandweiss wrote in message ...
We live by the coast in So. Cal. and have two redwoods on our north side
close to the house. We bought this house about 3 years ago only to learn
that the prior owner topped the largest of the pair. Now, its upper,
small branches are dying and the upper trunk is turning grey, but it is
filling in heavily along the lower side, and the lower 3/4 trunk looks
good. We understand that these were planted from seed by the first owner
in 1947. The topped one is about 40-50', with a trunk base diameter
about 3.5-4'. Obviously, this is the one I'm concerned about. It's a
majestic tree.

Will the topping prove to be fatal? If not, what should I have done, and
with what credentials, if need be? This tree means a lot to someone
raised in the midwest.

Topping a Coastal redwood will not necessarily kill it. But it will
change the growth habit a lot. The tree will now become progressively
more bushy, and there will likely be multiple upper branches which
will try to take over as the leader, or new top. For the health of the
tree, if you want to have a tall tree, save only _one_ of these new
leaders. Have a professional arborist remove the other tops, or in 20
years you _will_ have a problem: 20 trees all on top of a single
trunk.

Daniel B. Wheeler
www.oregonwhitetruffles.com