Hi there!

Thank you for reaching out! I'm also in Corvallis and would be more than happy to drive by and take a look, if you feel comfortable sharing where the tree is! 

Looking at the picture alone and comparing it to other trees in our area in recent years, here are a few ideas.

Coastal redwoods evolved in areas with consistent summer fog and higher humidity. Here in the Willamette Valley, our increasingly hot and dry summers (and more frequent drought stress events) make them vulnerable. Browning at the crown is often the first sign that the tree isn’t able to move enough water to its highest branches. This can be scary! 

Believe it or not, squirrels do clip branch tips, which results in small twig and foliage “litterfall” below the tree. The pattern you’re seeing at the crown, though whole sections of foliage browning doesn’t match typical squirrel browsing, but is not yet out of the realm of possibility. 

A single dead top or some crown dieback doesn’t necessarily mean the tree is a goner. Redwoods are resilient and can oftentimes re-sprout a new leader below the dead section. That said, progressive dieback from the crown downward is usually a sign of ongoing water stress. I don't see much evidence of that here yet. So that is good!


I know fall and the subsequent hearty rains are coming but in the meantime, deep, infrequent watering during the hottest/driest parts of summer can help (ideally at the root zone out to the dripline). You can do this now but saturating the top 12-18 inches of soil once a week or so until the fall rains come. 

You could also consider mulching around the base (but not against the trunk) helps conserve soil moisture, especially if grass is growing right up to the base.  In that same way, I would also avoid soil compaction or root disturbance.

If the decline continues or worsens, I recommend contacting a certified arborist for an on-site assessment. They can check for other contributing factors (root damage, fungal pathogens, etc.) that aren’t visible from a photo.

This looks more like environmental stress than squirrel damage but your tree isn’t necessarily beyond saving, but it may continue to struggle with our hotter, drier summers. Supporting its water needs will be the best way to prolong its health!

I'm deeply invested in this tree now so I'd love it if you could keep me in the loop! I'd be so happy to answer any questions you have!

Take care and thanks for caring so much about this tree! 

Jennifer 

Hi! I drove by and took a look and I don't see anything else remarkable. Let's stick with the current plan of water and wait and let's check in next spring maybe! Don't hesitate to let me know if anything else seems off in the meantime!

Take care!
Jennifer