Relocating redwood saplings from Los Angeles to Carmel-by-the-Sea

A feel-good tale about what happens when people work together to save a redwood

Redwood sprouts on duff, surrounded by larger redwoods
Young redwoods. Photo: Paolo Vescia

As an assistant at Save the Redwoods League, I handle many backend administrative duties: paying invoices, scheduling meetings, and tracking expenditures. One of the tasks I’m charged with that can be very fascinating is responding to folks who call the League with questions about redwoods – be it the undergraduate student who wants more information for their environmental science report or a landowner seeking a conservation easement for their property. Being able to speak to people who are just as passionate as I am about redwoods is a highlight in my day-to-day work.

Last month, I answered the call of Shai Beaulet from Los Angeles. She told me about needing to replant two redwood saplings in her care, especially during the 110+ degree Fahrenheit heat wave that left them precariously close to becoming desiccated. I always recommend to callers seeking to relocate trees in their care to contact their local plant nursery since the League isn’t able to accept tree donations, but I was surprised to hear Beaulet explain that she had already identified a potential new home for her two redwoods: the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Unfortunately, due to some miscommunication, Beaulet was accidentally blocked from contacting the city’s employees despite previous conversations with them.

Beaulet requested that I reach out the Carmel-by-the-Sea on her behalf, and so I sent an email, unsure of what to expect. To my surprise, I received a day later an email from a representative of the city that he would get in touch with Beaulet. And shortly afterwards, Beaulet notified me that her two redwoods, Feather and their little sibling Fern, would be allowed to plant their roots in the gateway park of Devendorf.

As Beaulet and her wife prepare to embark on a day-long trip from Los Angeles to Carmel-by-the-Sea to bring Feather and Fern to their new (and relatively wetter) home, I am reminded of and grateful for likeminded selfless people such as them. And I am happy to support this mission to which they have remained so dedicated. It’s inspiring to think about two young trees that a few people helped save now have the opportunity to grow old in a place that will nourish them.

About the author

Stanley Shaw joined the League as Conservation Programs Assistant in 2020. He enjoys combining his passion for the redwoods with his longtime hobby of photography.

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2 Responses to “Relocating redwood saplings from Los Angeles to Carmel-by-the-Sea”

  1. Dan Marrah

    Where can I get the redwood saplings?
    We live in Monterey, Ca.

    Reply
  2. Shai Beaulet

    Thank you so much for helping Feather and Fern connect with their soon to be forever home in Carmel By The Sea’s Devendorf Park. If not for your kindness and help, I’m not sure they’d have this incredible chance to survive. On behalf of my wife, myself and Feather and Fern, we are so grateful

    Reply

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