Michigan Giant Sequoias

Sequoia trees, transplanted from California in 1948, thriving in northern Michigan.

[@malcolmmeer9761]

I have 2 coastal Redwoods on my farm in eastern Indiana. A previous owner took a trip to CA in 1910. They brought back 10 seedlings, 2 survives

[@BenOrvis]

Very cool!! May I ask how large they’ve grown?

[@derekparker5426]

In the U.K there are more giant redwoods than in the whole of California courtesy of victorians love for growing what they considered exotic or special trees.

[@BenOrvis]

@@derekparker5426 that’s actually very interesting. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

[@archstanton3249]

Wow, two survivors. That is fantastic to hear. Yours have 36 more years of growth time! Amazing! Even more adapted and taller perhaps . Thank you for sharing !

[@malcolmmeer9761]

@@BenOrvis 90 to 100 feet. This area is not the ideal place for them to grow. I have tulip poplars that are native and are a lot taller. Probably 100 years older

[@johnnynephrite6147]

100 feet in just 76 years, amazing. Congrats Michigan, from California.

[@BenOrvis]

🤜🤛

[@shirleybalinski4535]

The weather along this section of Michigan is close to the northern California coast. I learned about these trees app.20 years ago. Even as a kid,I often wondered why these or even redwood trees, would not grow or thrive in the climatic conditions here in Michigan. Glad to see this tree is doing well.

[@BenOrvis]

Hi! You’re right 😊 There are some coastal similarities there…maybe even soil preferences?? Either way, this tree is really rockin’ in that Michigan climate! 🙂

[@bluebook709]

I doubt that, I grew up 3 blocks from the beach in far northern California, I saw snow twice, once we got an inch and 15 years later we got 3 inches. The first time it was gone by lunch and the second time it was gone the next day. Where the giant sequoia live in the sierras the winters are probably a lot more brutal than in MI. The closest I ever got to living in Michigan was college in Ohio. My hometown will get into the 30s at night in the winter sometimes, but frost is not that common, also rarely ever gets over 70 in the day in summer. Of course that is right on the beach, go inland into the mountains not 20 miles away and you get some wintry weather at elevation. The coast redwood would not do that well in MI because they can absorb water through their leaves, so the daily fogs off the Pacific more than half the days of summer are as good as rain to them. Also, they cannot tolerate serpentine soils which are common where you are.

[@BenOrvis]

@@bluebook709 I surrender. 😂 Thanks for the insightful response, my friend!! 🙂

[@shirleybalinski4535]

@@bluebook709 ..plenty of fog & rain here. 3 trees out of 6 growing( from seedlings). One at present is over 100' tall. I think they are doing fine in their location. The soil is a sand loam. The state is monitoring them.

[@Iamdrjohnny]

106 inches of snow a year. Average. These were planted in 1948 and three survive to this day.

[@justadbeer]

My son brought me home a seedling when he visited Cali a few years back. So far I have transplanted it twice and it is about a foot tall and filling out, and even hardening. I have been bringing it in in the harsh Michigan winters, keeping it in a sunny spot and carefully tending to it. I plan on planting it outdoors when it is around five years old. I Will never get to see it in all (or any) of it's majesty, but I hope a future generation will appreciate it as much as I do.

[@BenOrvis]

Wow. What a cool story, my friend. Thanks for sharing!! Good luck with your tree! 🌲

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

Michigan has her own giants. The virgin White Pines.

[@BenOrvis]

I’d love to see them. I spent 13 years in upstate NY and there are some incredible pines and hemlocks up there as well! Usually in the places that were too difficult to harvest.

[@kerricorser4562]

Built chicago with those

[@BenOrvis]

@@kerricorser4562 yep

[@user-pd5qz2vt2c]

@@BenOrvis The Hartwick Pines near Grayling, MI are the biggest trees in Michigan. The Porcupine Mountains in the western Upper Peninsula has a vast virgin hemlock forest.

[@BenOrvis]

Really?? I’d love to see those virgin hemlocks sometime! 😍 Thanks for the tip, my friend.

[@normsweet1710]

Thank You !, I too spent my first 30 winters in Lenawee county, married & moved to Tx with a job. Now retired I’m learning more & more about my homeland. Great history lesson too ❤️

[@BenOrvis]

Thank you, my friend. 😊

[@TruthLovingPatriot]

I love Michigan. Lived there 1985- 1998, never heard of the trees. Thanks for the knowledge.

[@BenOrvis]

👍👍😊

[@billrobbins5874]

Lived there from 56 to 76. Did not know. Interesting, appreciate.

[@BenOrvis]

@@billrobbins5874 😊

[@semiproactive9625]

I grew up in the mitten and have lived near the big trees in Ca. for 50 years. I also have planted a yard full. Thank You.

[@BenOrvis]

Thanks friend! This is one of the things I enjoy about KZbin. You get to meet all kinds of people. 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@BenOrvis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOvZX6wl7Grebssi=N64PbSBIy-55KrCG. Anywhere near this place, perhaps??

[@planterbanter]

Amazing! I love these trees I’ve germinated them in both Australia and now in BC Canada the last 2 years. I’m about to plant 30 two year old seedling at my friend’s property this spring.

[@BenOrvis]

30 two-year-old seedlings?!?! That’s SUPER cool! 😍😍 Nice work! 🤜🤛

[@Swoleminer71]

I moved from CA to Michigan and I miss the Giant Sequoias... I guess I can go visit them!

[@BenOrvis]

😊 They won’t be quite the same, but they will certainly evoke pleasant memories 🙂

[@BenOrvis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOvZX6wl7Grebssi=CngsitBBeOIfLg4o 😊 Here are the ones we visited while we were out west!

[@Swoleminer71]

@@BenOrvis kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3y1Y4Jqpq6HoK8

[@Swoleminer71]

@@BenOrvis Ive been visiting the Giant Sequoias all my life and I'm in awe every time I'm around them. It never gets old!

[@BenOrvis]

👍👍

[@archstanton3249]

I am an arborist. I have a deep love for trees. I’ve studied them from the far reaches of the Pacific Hawaiian islands, the East Coast ,Midwest and also those in mention, the great sequoia‘s of California and Nevada. I had no idea the treasure that exists in manatees Michigan. I am beside myself with joy and wonder. I now have a reason to visit that area of the state I now reside. Thank you for the wonderful journey through time and history. Yes , Mr. and Mrs. Gray are to forever be commended for their selfless act of spreading the precious tree’s from so far away back in 1946. An act which has and will likely change the region forever, as the hands of time acclimate the seeds to naturally propagate others of their kind. Imagine 1000 years in the future, where that area could easily produce from those six trees they planted , a grand forest not unlike that on the West Coast. Astonishing!

[@BenOrvis]

Well, my friend, this is about the most heartwarming comment I’ve received yet 😊 Thank you so much! I made this video several years ago, and since then I have been fortunate enough to travel the West Coast and see some of those wonderful trees out there. Thank you for your work as an arborist!

[@archstanton3249]

@@BenOrvis You are most welcome! I am glad to hear you’ve visited the parents of those great trees. Timeless is their beauty. I look forward to other amazing treasures in nature you find and share with us. Either way, be well , enjoy the journey and the trees along the way. Again, thank you.🌲

[@BenOrvis]

@archstanton3249 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOvZX6wl7Grebssi=cUVQv5bLP10i6wLa 😊😊

[@hooterfivesix]

Born, raised, explored, and lived in Michigan my entire life and I've NEVER heard of this. Looks like I'm taking another venture up to Manistee. Thanks for the info.

[@BenOrvis]

My pleasure, friend. Enjoy! 😊

[@claybladzik6755]

Don't forget your fishing gear. It's great here.

[@BenOrvis]

@@claybladzik6755 the next time I rotate through, you can bet I’ll be stretching a line 😉

[@Thrashsquatch]

Hi Ben, great video! Thanks for the information. I'm a lifelong Michigander, and now will be going to meet these thriving west coast titans next month, on my way to the U.P.!! Excited about the unsuspected detour... awesome, have a great day!! -Todd =)

[@BenOrvis]

Awesome, Todd! Enjoy the detour 🙂 Also, enjoy the wild and wonderful UP!! 🌲🌲🌲

[@Thrashsquatch]

@@BenOrvis - I always do, thanks!! I/we try to get up there a couple times per year.

[@thomasfouts2700]

There are some big Sequoia trees a block off Lake Michigan near South Haven. These too were planted from seeds brought back from California.

[@BenOrvis]

Very cool! I’ll have to check them out next time I rotate through. Thanks for the tip!!

[@Mick.Porter]

Michigan had a huge timber growth that was logged of over a hundred years ago. My father and I used to deer hunt in northern Gladwin County in November. We each would clean out the remainder of a hollowed out stump that were easily 6 ft inside to use as blinds. Cutting off a couple of low branches of a nearby white pine made an excellent roof and we used them for a couple years until someone else found them and took them over. Sadly, the last time I checked, the 75 ft tall pines had been logged off, they clear cut the area, for several acres in all directions.

[@BenOrvis]

Wow! Man, I gotta admit: I hate seeing timber like that go. 😏 Your story about hunting with your dad is beautiful, though. 🙂

[@palletbox]

Loved the informative tone of this video. An entertaining and interesting way of introducing a little known place!

[@theresaperkins9500]

Wow! As a past Michigan resident, I never knew we had sequoias.

[@BenOrvis]

Same here. 🙂 pretty neat, right?!

[@kostasvorniotakis4157]

I have 8 seedlings so far and I'm planning on planting them on a mountain in Crete, Greece where I live. I hope they get big and strong,I will never see them fully grown but the future generations will.

[@BenOrvis]

Oh wow! That actually sounds really great!! Good luck on the transplant 🙂🌲🌲🌲

[@kostasvorniotakis4157]

@@BenOrvis thank you, when do you think is the best time? I believe once they get 2-3 years old but I'm not sure

[@BenOrvis]

@@kostasvorniotakis4157 I suppose the age of the tree isn’t very crucial. Just make sure the root ball stays intact and probably transplant them in late summer or autumn. 🙂 Enjoy them for as long as you can! 🙂🌲🌲

[@kostasvorniotakis4157]

@@BenOrvis thank you very much!!!

[@briano.1503]

Future generations??? 🤔

[@conscience-commenter]

Thank you for uploading . It's nice to see that it survived in the mid west .

[@BenOrvis]

😊 Thank you for watching.

[@AGDinCA]

I recently learned there is a small forest of giant sequoias in England, too. They were also transplanted from California. 👍

[@BenOrvis]

Wowzers. California’s getting around!! 😀

[@Ukepa]

never heard of Sequoias in Michigan, but I'm glad to see they can survive here

[@BenOrvis]

It’s certainly a rarity, but also a possibility 🙂 Thanks for watching!!

[@EGlideKid]

One truly does learn new things every day. If you're into learning new things, that is. This is truly amazing. I never thought the Sequoias would grow in such a harsh climate. I was born in the U.P. and the cold there is BITTER, and the snows unreal. I have also spent time amongst the Sequoias and Redwoods in California, and they will shut your mouth, that's for sure. Some of God's best creations, no doubt about it. Thanks for sharing!

[@BenOrvis]

😍😊👍 God’s handiwork, for sure.

[@sweetpeanmolly]

This brought me to tears! How beautiful! Thank you 🙏

[@BenOrvis]

😊😊

[@BenOrvis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOvZX6wl7Grebssi=JjGL1uxgGIh7Y_k3 You might enjoy this one also 🙂 Thanks so much for watching!!

[@markasiala6355]

I just visited these for the first time on July 4th last year. It was one of the daily attractions during the Manistee National Forest Festival. I had biked past that area many times as a teen and never knew they were there until recently.

[@BenOrvis]

Nice!! What did you think of them?

[@markasiala6355]

@@BenOrvis They are pretty incredible. It is somewhat hard to fully grasp their height when you are close to them as they are so tall. I would be curious to find a location a bit further away to take it all in, especially in relation to the other trees. As I recall they have both some Sequoias and a giant redwood tree (or two) of a different species there as well. The redwoods are only slightly shorter.

[@BenOrvis]

@markasiala6355 It’s actually been two years since I’ve been there. I’d like to get up there and see them again!

[@kathleenmartin7498]

I live down in Ann Arbor and never heard of these! Thank you for sharing, and love your voice!!

[@BenOrvis]

I very much appreciate the kind words! 😊 I don’t wanna sound like a salesman, but I have other content as well that you might enjoy 😊😉 Thanks for watching!!

[@paulthompson2147]

Great video thanks. I love collecting sequoia cones from trees we have here in the UK and germinating the seeds.

[@BenOrvis]

Hello Paul! Thanks for stopping by ☺️ Collecting/germinating sequoia seeds sounds like a very worthwhile hobby! Super cool. 👍👍

[@matthewcarlton5693]

I live in Atlanta and there is a Coastal Redwood tree in a neighborhood nearby. I try to drive by it as much as I can.

[@BenOrvis]

No kidding! Very cool, my friend. Thanks for sharing! 👍👍

[@tommyhunter1817]

As giant sequoias go, that is STILL a seedling.

[@BenOrvis]

A toddler 🙂

[@Taskerofpuppets]

Awesome for you guys. They are the most magnificent tree. We have many here in Oregon. Enjoy! Smart to plant them right by the Lake, that way they’ll get the water they need.

[@BenOrvis]

😍 Thanks for watching! 😊

[@prudenceadele6169]

What a wonderful story, I love trees ,Michigan sounds a lovely place I have visited some states of America when i lived in Canada now returned to my native Australia . & in my senior years but will always love these large majestic trees.❤

[@BenOrvis]

Thank you for watching, my friend! Bless you. 🥰

[@claybladzik6755]

I live 4 miles away. I'm so grateful to live here.

[@BenOrvis]

No way!! That’s super cool. I hope you guys are getting some of that beautiful spring weather! 🙂

[@MarcusRefusius]

I helped tend the Giant Forest here in California for almost 25 years. I’m pretty sure Gigantea are capable of eclipsing 300 feet. All of ours are topped because of lightning strikes. Where they live they are exposed to a LOT of Lightning. The Coast Redwoods to our North do not suffer the lightning barrage like the Giant Forest does here at 6700+’ elevation.

[@BenOrvis]

Wow!! What a cool job 🙂🙂

[@BenOrvis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOvZX6wl7Grebssi=ntDFvi0_fD12d1ED We visited these ones while we were out west, and what an experience it was!!!

[@Zippythewondersquirrel]

Sequoia is the only word that has all of the vowels in it.

[@BenOrvis]

😂 haha! Good point!!

[@thomasgeorgecastleberry6918]

I never knew! AMAZING video, thanks for sharing!!!

[@BenOrvis]

😊🤜🤛

[@MelodiesOfOurPlants]

Sequoias are so beautiful! I love recording Sequoia music. I have a few recording from MI.

[@BenOrvis]

😊

[@oconnorsean12]

How cool I never knew that these trees were here!

[@BenOrvis]

👍👍😊

[@libbylandscape3560]

I had no idea and I was born & raised in MI, don’t live there anymore.

[@BenOrvis]

Same here 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@sinjinadams2862]

Absolutely beautiful! The Redwood is my favorite family of tree. I have a Dawn Redwood in my yard. I hope more of these trees have been planted or will be planted. Three is not nearly enough!

[@BenOrvis]

Hi! Thanks for watching! Three is definitely not near enough 🙂

[@brendaazamian7844]

Redwoods are different…

[@BenOrvis]

😉

[@howtogrowdragonfruitplant7849]

Awesome! I planted some 4 cm giant sequoia seedlings in my forest garden in Dalarna in Sweden. I make update videos.

[@BenOrvis]

Very cool. I’ll have to check it out sometime!

[@howtogrowdragonfruitplant7849]

You should! I am now a sub. To your channel!

[@Michelle-zz7no]

I had no idea! I’m in Southwest Michigan. I will most definitely check this out!

[@BenOrvis]

Cool 😊 Please let me know what you think once you see ‘em in person!!

[@keouine]

I remember seeing 2-3 sequoias on the US capitol grounds back before 9/11. They were not huge huge. I wonder how tall they are now and whether folks can walk on the grass to see them up close. One used to be able to walk up the front stairs up to the terraces and look over the mall.

[@BenOrvis]

No kidding!! Very cool 🙂

[@farber2]

I saw six trees in town in Hillsborough Oregon planted in about 1890, they are huge.

[@BenOrvis]

Nice!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@bluebook709]

Coming from the redwood forests of Northern California I can tell you I would never plant one within about 100 feet of a house. If you look at the old trees out west you will notice that there can be 200 or more feet of trunk before the branches start sticking out. There used to be branches close to the ground but they lose them as the years go by and the trees get taller. When they get big enough the branches can be as large as whole trees themselves and then eventually those also will fall off. So, take a branch the size of an entire tree and drop it on your house from 200 feet up, back home we call them widow makers and home wreckers. Coast redwoods are far taller than the gigantea, and not as brittle. In fact the sequoia gigantea was never commercially harvested because the wood is too brittle and splits, it would often shatter on impact with the ground. Where the coast redwoods are such great lumber that they have nearly been logged off the face of the earth. Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world in Humboldt County is over 380 feet and still growing taller. If a tree like that fell and your house was 350 or less feet away you too could join your ancestors in heaven.

[@BenOrvis]

INCREDIBLE. Thanks so much for the amazing response!! 😊

[@BenOrvis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4vdfZKEntGhhZIsi=qZh2SA00_h1nkUMZ Of all the trees I’ve ever seen, these were my favorites 🥰😊🌲

[@maru4361]

The Sequoias were used commercially. For toothpicks. Sick, isn’t it? Huge forests of giant and ancient trees turned into toothpicks.

[@thethegreenmachine]

I guess the Latin name was changed since that sign was made (or they just got it wrong). It's sequoiadendron giganteum.

[@BenOrvis]

👍

[@freedomwon2004]

So beautiful!

[@BenOrvis]

Thanks 😊

[@danielcarroll3358]

There is a park in New Zealand that has a sequoia sempervirens growing next to a sequoiadendron giganteum. They looked to be approximately 100 years old.

[@BenOrvis]

Very cool! 🙂

[@faerieSAALE]

Those trees are State Treasures and MUST BE protected.

[@BenOrvis]

I agree 😊

[@MillerMeteor74]

That's awesome. In April of 2013 I discovered one in someone's front yard, out in the country, in Pittsgrove Township, Salem County, NJ. Some of the branches were dead on one side, but it still looked great overall. Well as of the latest Google Street View (2019), only the top is still alive. I have no idea how big or tall it is, but it's impressive. But I'm very sad that it's dying.

[@BenOrvis]

😏 Sad…but also pretty rad! Very cool discovery. Thanks for sharing!

[@111day1]

Please, if you have the opportunity, visit Sequoia National Park. Those trees are otherworldly.

[@BenOrvis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOvZX6wl7Grebssi=wz1xzBSLABktw_HO When we traveled through California, Sequoia National Park was closed, but we did go here. 🙂 I agree: those trees are definitely otherworldly. 😊

[@marcmayou1422]

PS I have planted three Redwood Trees in my back yard, They are the Santa Cruz Redwood trees.

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

So....these trees are only 75-years old?? Amazing growth! 🌲

[@BenOrvis]

They’re living giants 🙂

[@camp44mag]

When I first saw the video title, I thought this might really be about hemlocks in northern Michigan. I find the story of these sequoia both fascinating and sad, it's probably just me. It's great that these magnificent trees are living, but sad that they are so far away from their natural home and kin. Brought here by people, like so many other invasive species.

[@BenOrvis]

I understand. I get a little sentimental about it, too. These trees are far from home, but it’s truly amazing that they’re healthy and vibrant so far from their native soil!

[@Brian-bp5pe]

Great video! Another very impressive redwood tree is Metasequoia glyptostroboides - the Dawn Redwood. Thought to be extinct, it was rediscovered in the 1930's, in an isolated valley, in China. The fossils of this tree are found worldwide, dating back to hundreds of millions of years ago. Today, they are again growing around the globe. It is thought that the non-cultivar Metasequoia is capable of reaching heights in the 200' range, maybe taller.

[@BenOrvis]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@markrichards2634]

Metasequoia fossils date back to the late Cretaceous, approx 90 my

[@jasong8377]

our family has 150 aces and have two of these growing now on property in Eastern Pennsylvania that i planted

[@BenOrvis]

Wow! What a gift!!

[@andrewbetrosian2784]

Would love to see the Sequoia in person, but I have 5 sequoia bonsai 2 Dawn redwood & 1 coast redwood in pots.

[@user-si9oc7nf6k]

How did you get them in bonsai. And how are you caring for them? And you have a Dawn? I believe they only (native anyway) grow in China!

[@andrewbetrosian2784]

@@user-si9oc7nf6k All grown from seed and lots of water.

[@zipperpillow]

You meant, "planting a seedling", not "planting a seed". Those trees were planted as seedlings. They already had roots and branches when they were "transplanted".

[@BenOrvis]

😉 That too! Thanks for watching, my friend!

[@jimnorthland2903]

Substantial stands of Redwoods in England & Maui.

[@BenOrvis]

Beautiful trees!

[@sampson7941]

Thats pretty cool. Only future generations will know what happens

[@BenOrvis]

Those trees are like giant timber records of seasons past. 🙂

[@happyhome41]

Any evidence of seedlings offspring surviving ?

[@BenOrvis]

Not that I’m aware of.

[@stevepringle2295]

Sequoia’s are only found in the Sierra Mountains outside of Viasaila and Fresno California. Not Northern California. Redwoods are located North of San Francisco, California.

[@BenOrvis]

Thanks for the clarification. I actually made this video a couple years ago, and since then I’ve been lucky enough to travel through California (seeing both the sequoias and the coastal redwoods). Of the two, I would say that they’re equally impressive species!! True marvels 😊

[@stevepringle2295]

I worked in Sequoia National Park for two seasons in 1984 and 1985. One of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had.

[@BenOrvis]

@@stevepringle2295 No kidding! Especially back then (before the tourist traffic was so heavy).

[@jameswood231]

​@@stevepringle2295 Visiting Kings Canyon in April, 2006 and seeing those Giant Sequoias was awe inspiring. Just Magnificent. I will never forget touching the base of these mighty survivors. I never knew about the Sequoias growing in Manistee Michigan. Born and raised in the Flint area. I love West Michigan and the shores of Lake Michigan.😊

[@BenOrvis]

@jameswood231 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKOvZX6wl7Grebssi=RTYP_0MBmONqMho4 😊😊 what an experience this was!

[@mikesorensen1981]

I hope they are still planting these trees, create a new forest of Sequoias 👍

[@BenOrvis]

I would personally find that very interesting to see. Though I admit, in Michigan , I’d settle for less development and more white pine stands 😉👍

[@user-si9oc7nf6k]

That house will need to be moved at some point. That’s WAAAAAAY too close to that type of tree!

[@bertblue9683]

Thanks Captain

[@BenOrvis]

😉

[@scottprather5645]

Amazing that it grew that fast

[@BenOrvis]

They’re incredible, right? More than just “biomass”, it’s a living and ambitious species. 🙂 Thanks for watching. 😊

[@scottprather5645]

@@BenOrvis there was one planted here in San Diego on Palomar mountain it grew in a strange way it was not very tall but very wide at the base kind of like a pyramid. They ended up cutting it down and milling it into lumber I was working for a contractor and he got some of the wood we used it for fencing and it was a pink purple color never seen wood like that.

[@persimmontea6383]

I planted a few in the woods of Tennessee but the deer ate them.

[@BenOrvis]

Darn deer 😏🦌

[@jbyerfamily]

Interesting...didn't know that!

[@BenOrvis]

😊🤜🤛

[@todddavis4586]

@@BenOrvis Thanks for posting. I'm in Virginia and also have one.

[@BenOrvis]

Hello friend! Thanks for the comment 😊 These trees are spectacular! Was yours also a transplant?

[@todddavis4586]

@@BenOrvis Got it out of Ohio. Small plant grown from seed. Quadruple in size first year.

[@BenOrvis]

Very cool! Thanks for the info. 🙂

[@ralphjessee2688]

How is this act any different than the others importing "invasive" species?

[@libbylandscape3560]

Because these trees aren’t invasive. Perhaps you might want to look up and research the word “invasive” to understand its meaning.

[@YooTooobJeff]

Never knew these were in Manistee in spite of canoeing the Pine River near there

[@BenOrvis]

😉😊

[@susanjaeger9851]

I didn't know this. Why do they not plant more sequoia around the USA🤔

[@BenOrvis]

Good question! Generally, conservationists frown upon plant relocation. But I think it’s important to differentiate between “non-native” and “invasive”. These trees are definitely NOT invasive. 😉🙂

[@cycleoflife7331]

Everyone in a temperate environment should be growing these as well as redwoods.

[@BenOrvis]

👍

[@blakespower]

they do quite well in Europe also but for some reason they are harder to grow on the east coast of the USA maybe its too wet for their roots? or do all the deciduous broadleaf trees put out some chemical that attacks most non native conifers

[@BenOrvis]

Good questions…I always sort of wondered why they aren’t more prevalent on the east coast. It could possibly be as simple as the fact that they were never really there, and it takes a tree to grow another tree.

[@HENRIK40k]

Dawn redwoods do better on the east coast, they are very similar to the native bald cypress

[@marcmayou1422]

I went to the giants in Yosemite, CA the biggest trees wow. when I saw Michigan I was what is this, but they planted a few okay. Not native .

[@BenOrvis]

👍

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

So cool... save those sequoias

[@BenOrvis]

😍

[@shanechostetler9997]

Those trees can grow in a bunch of climates.

[@BenOrvis]

👍 they’re pretty rugged, eh?

[@marvinmartin4692]

Way cool!!!!

[@BenOrvis]

Thanks, buddy!! 😊

[@rj-zz8im]

They can only grow as high as the water can defy gravity and reach the tops. They rely on the fog/clouds in CA to supply the water to the top..MI doesn't have that, so they will never get that big there.

[@BenOrvis]

Interesting point! Thanks for sharing 🙂👍

[@davemoyer505]

Huh. Who knew? Pretty cool.👍🇺🇸❤️

[@BenOrvis]

👍🇺🇸🌲😉

[@michellemarie1197]

God bless michigan

[@BenOrvis]

God bless Michigan, indeed. 🙂

[@oiocha5706]

Why don't they plant some more, make a little forest?

[@BenOrvis]

Good question. I assume it has something to do with keeping native plants in their native environments. I’m merely guessing, though. 🙂

[@waterlec8718]

​@@BenOrvis Won't these trees regenerate ? Won't their cones drop and create more seedlings ?

[@BenOrvis]

@@waterlec8718 absolutely! But in that area, the place is landscaped pretty well (trimmed and mowed), and also I don’t think the foot traffic would allow for much sequoia regeneration. 😏

[@barxracerful]

narrated by William Shatner

[@BenOrvis]

😊🥰

[@yolo_burrito]

Worshipping a sequoia is far more rewarding and profound than worshipping Jesus. They’ve seen more than he ever will.

[@jamestregler1584]

They have some in Germany 😎

[@BenOrvis]

Very cool. Maybe someday I’ll get to see them too. 🙂🌲😊🌲 Thanks for watching!!

[@miketackabery7521]

Sequoiadendron

[@BenOrvis]

👍👍

[@andrewlawrence9340]

Non-native trees.

[@BenOrvis]

Certainly non-native to the Michigan coastline, but a far cry from “invasive” (so maybe this one gets a pass) 🙂

[@Zortfellow79]

I will drive down with my girls

[@BenOrvis]

Enjoy it, brother. While you’re there, swing into Manistee for a walk downtown and a bite to eat. You’ll love it. 😍

[@BradleyBellwether-oy2qi]

Really? "What makes the area so special is giant sequoias"? You should have paid closer attention to your surroundings while you were there! Because I saw a lot cooler things in Manistee area than some non-native trees transplanted by humans! 😂 Sure, they're cool. But, did you ever do the Manistee River walk, or fish for monster 35+ lb King Salmon? Maybe some Coho's or 12" brookies on a fly rod? Did you ever see the sunset over Lake Michigan from Arcadia Overlook? Or sit in the shadow of Arcadia bluff while the sun rose behind you making everything look like it's in HD? Or go behind the bluff after sunset to see the billions of stars, or the pinks, whites, blues and purples of the Milky Way that aren't visible from most other places? This video might be the douchiest thing I've seen this year, and that's saying a lot!

[@BenOrvis]

Holy cow bro! If this is the “douchiest” thing you’ve seen this year, you’re pretty lucky. At the moment, I’m grinding in one of the big southern cities, sweating my butt off. I’d give about anything to be along that beautiful Michigan coastline you described (even if it was just for a “douchie” non-native tree, transplanted by some humans). And yeah, I’ve seen the other stuff too. But that tree’s still pretty darn cool. 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching.

[@BradleyBellwether-oy2qi]

@BenOrvis Sorry for being so harsh. But, you said, what "makes that area so special" are the giant sequoias. There's so many things in that area better than those trees, I couldn't even take the video seriously after hearing that. It was just so hyperbolic and over-the-top about some trees that are pretty cool, but they're surrounded by so much awesome.

[@BenOrvis]

@BradleyBellwether-oy2qi I hear you man. Truth is, I made that video two and a half years ago and I’ve progressed quite a bit as a writer/videographer. No sweat, bro. I get it; it’s an oversimplification of an area that’s rich with so much more than just a few trees. 😉👍

[@leoverran311]

Maybe try not talking down to the viewers. Listen up

[@BenOrvis]

👍

[@wdtaut5650]

So far, this looks OK. It is a bad idea to transport any plants or animals to areas where they are not native.

[@BenOrvis]

👍

[@mikezweber4433]

Why.

[@BenOrvis]

@mikezweber4433 Hey Mike! In a perfect world, plant life is adapted to its specific type of geographical locale. Some of our conservation or ecological issues arise from species being introduced where they shouldn’t be, but I personally think that these sequoias get a free pass. 🙂 I think it’s important for us to differentiate between “non-native” and invasive. Three California trees along the Michigan coastline may be “non-native”, but they are certainly not invasive. 🙂

[@wdtaut5650]

@@mikezweber4433 There are countless examples of plants and animals introduced to non-native areas where those organisms have replaced, severely reduced or even eliminated the native species. Sometimes they have no local enemies and reproduce without restraint. Their numbers alone cause damage to the local environment.