How fast will it grow?

Compiled by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Inc.

Okay, you've bought your one gallon Giant Sequoia that looks a little like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. You now only have to wait about 2,000 years for it to reach full size, but how long will it take before you don't have to worry about tripping over it?

How fast will it grow?  This question comes up time and time again when selecting a native tree from the TPF tree yard.  Over the years at our webmaster's house, he has measured monthly his native trees, all from one gallon containers (except sequoia sempervirens 5 gal).  The trees were grown in Tujunga which has hot summers (85 -105 degrees) and somewhat mild winters (30-55 degrees-- occasionally down in the 20's), generally well-drained soil with good sun exposure.

Notes:  The chart below you'll notice several dips in tree growth; these relate to deciduous tree losing their leaves, trees flopping down due to weight (particularly the Sambucus) and breakages and die back.