Sequoiadendron?

[Maena]

Hello folks,
I've just been to my homoeopath and she's ordering a Sequoiadendron (Giant Sequoia/Sierra Redwood) remedy for me. Sure I've heard of them, seen pictures and such BUT I've never seen one in real life! I don't know what they are like. I have just realised they are members of the cypress family. I would really like to know more about them now, especially because I'm getting this remedy. Not just the facts and figures, but how they look close up, the scent, how the bark feels...Since they aren't native to the Netherlands I can't just walk up to one (I've checked the local botanical garden.)
Does anyone have any advise on how to get a feel for a Giant Sequoia?

[Dendrias]

I've seen some in Germany and France. I found the look very distinct, as the bark looks somewhat ... torn or linty. It's kind of "soft" as well, as it yields to pressure. As far as I can remember from the last time.

[Mountainheart]

You can buy seeds for it online. You could buy a packet to get a feel for the tree via the seeds? Or grow them!

[Maena]

Thanks for the desciption I thought they would be different.. HUGE, cypresslike I have seen a strange tree somewhere in my neighbourhood, it had these lovely thin soft needles, it might be this Asian Sequoia variety.. I'll investigate!

Actually I've looked at those seeds and they also had tiny saplings.. only I don't even have a garden, so at some point I would have to plant them outdoors in the wild. Would they survive in our environment? Wet, boggy, below freezing in winter?

[Mountainheart]

It'll be OK with the cold but I don't think it would like the boggy bit...

[Maena]

Since I seem to have poisoned myself with yew ~don't ask how
I went back home and had a closer look at that tree in my neighbourhood ~it's right in front of someone's back garden and living room window so I hadn't been spending that much time before. I looked at pictures of the leaves/needles on the net and compared them.. looks quite similar, only that my local has more space in between leaves. AND I've read that dawn redwoods are deciduous, but I think I remember seeing it still green in winter. It certainly isn't showing any signs now. So it could be a coast redwood or a giant redwood. Giant redwoods only have those narrow scaly leaves at the top when they're really big? But the bark didn't seem spongy...Think it might be a coast redwood then
I'll take some pictures and post them.

[Maena]

Ah and it seems the coastal redwood can deal with boggy conditions whilst the giant redwood can't!

..even if that local tree is one.. I would like to rear one
I never thought of planting any exotic species.. but I believe they used to be a lot more widespread, even in Europe.. umm before the last ice age

[Huathe]

Maena,

Here is some data on the tree.

http://www.conifers.org/cu/se2/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron
http://www.nativetreesociety.org/fieldt ... ures_1.htm
http://www.nativetreesociety.org/fieldt ... ures_2.htm
http://www.nativetreesociety.org/fieldt ... es_3_5.htm

I have never been out in the western USA to see this tree firsthand, but it is a goal of mine.

James

[Maena]

Thanks James, I'll check it out tomorrow. I've never been to the USA, so I never even thought about it. They must be very majestic.

Think I'll be staying in tomorrow as well. Dozed most of the day. Still wondering if it was the yew... I'd been out in the forest yesterday gathered some bits of freshly cut yew wood, tucked them in my bag. Later we had some cookies and I'd left the open package in my bag. This morning I took everything out. On my way too work I found a loose cookie at the bottom of my bag.. and ate it of course After 10 minutes or so I felt very poorly.

[Mountainheart]

Hi Maena,

I'm glad you posted that: I've been wondering all day how you managed to get yew poisoning!

David

[Huathe]

Maena,

I hope you get to feeling better.

James

[Maena]

Thank you!
Only slightly embarrassing Don't think it was enough too do do much harm, just the physical reaction -your body knows when poison is in your system. Nauseous, dizzy, dry mouth.. The wood was still fresh, it had been raining most of the day, so conditions were ideal for the sap to soak into everything in contact with it, the cookie had even gotten soft. Didn't taste anything cos it was a nice sweet chocolate chip one. I hate to let anything go to waste, but I think I've learnt sometimes I should. I'm feeling a lot better now, only very tired.

One of the reasons I got into Druidry was wanting to learn more about trees.. I knew yew was poisonous, but I wasn't aware of such possibilities of transfer.Yesterday I read that some Roman soldiers died after drinking wine from a yew flask. So making any kind of cooking utensils from yew would be a bad idea. Learnt something new

[Huathe]

Maena,

Getting closer to trees and the natural world are my main reasons for studying druidry. I am in another Organization, the Eastern Native Tree Society and they are wonderful on learning about trees and the group allows you to get into projects and trip reports on tree and forestry studies. They also have a more casual side on trees in other subjects. I chose OBOD's Druid Grove and the New Order of Druids to help me expand on the spiritual side of trees and I felt the druid way was the best way to do that. I do wish I saw more posts on trees on these forums though. Your one on " Sequoiadendron " caught my attention.

James

[wyeuro]

Alferian is an obod member, a mastercraftsman who makes wands to order. you could contact him through his website http://www.bardwood.com/woods.htm and ask him to make you a wand of the right kind of sequoia. I've got a beautiful yew wand from him, and there's a really magical spirit with it too, so i can vouch for the good craftsmanship and the good magic. it might be dear, but it would be well worth it, and it's a great intro to wood spirits, wands and wood magic.
wyverne /|\

[Maena]

James,
I think it's good to study all aspects of trees. The spirit of trees to me is something hard to put into words and something one has to experience, I do love to hear others impressions and stories too to add to a bigger picture. I've come across many personal tree tales on the board, be it in photos, poetry or other accounts.

Wyverne,
Thank you for the advice and whenever I'll seek a wandmaker I'll look up Alferian. Great inspiring insights on the site
I have made a wand once myself -can't vouch for the quality- but it was a very personal matter, driven to make one. I enjoyed the process very much. The honeysuckle "spoke" to me. I added things to enhance, to flow with that feeling. I worked on the honeysuckle and it worked on me.. Entwining
Here's a picture of it..

wand.jpg

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Now the sequoia.. my homoeopath thought it was the right thing for me, well in globuli form. But she also said I could keep them close to me, which she wouldn't tell most of her clients. Homoeopaths work with the energy of plants, minerals, animals and that makes sense to me. But I have never used anything I didn't know! What I normally do is follow what I'm drawn to, I study learn and ponder the nature/spirit/energy of it as I understand it and how it relates to my needs/issues/situation or at times I make something for someone close to me. But understanding is my starting point. Hmm and I think I'm keen on that process.. being taught!

BTW my ring is another tree spirit crafting thing.. http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/viewto ... 41&t=36935
Learning by doing myself