Waffle Forest 2025: Growing Sequoias in the Arizona Desert

Our research facility in Eloy, Arizona, has become the heart of something incredible. We started in 2024 and went full scale with one bold goal in mind: to grow Giant Sequoias in the Arizona desert. What began as an idea that many said was impossible has turned into one of the most challenging and rewarding projects we’ve ever undertaken. At Waffle Forest, we’ve proven that with the right mix of science, technology, and determination, even the desert can grow giants.

When we first began in 2024, we planted around 3,000 sequoia seedlings. By the end of this year, we had about 500 survivors. That number might sound small to some, but to us, those 500 trees represent strength, adaptation, and knowledge. Each one tells a story about what it takes to grow life where it shouldn’t exist. Those survivors are the foundation of everything that comes next, the first generation of true desert sequoias.

This past year has been a deep dive into research and development. Our Eloy facility has allowed us to study every variable in detail. We spent countless hours testing, observing, and documenting how these trees respond to Arizona’s extreme conditions. We experimented with different soil blends both indoors and outdoors, tested various watering cycles, studied root development in above-ground and underground barrels, and monitored how shade and humidity affected growth. Every success and every failure gave us valuable data that is shaping the future of desert reforestation.

One of the biggest lessons we learned came from the Arizona heat itself. Above ground, the barrels we used to grow the trees would heat up like ovens, cooking the roots. The solution came through experience: burying the barrels underground. Once we did that, everything changed. The soil temperature dropped, moisture lasted longer, and the trees began to stabilize. It was a breakthrough that completely changed our survival rates and helped us understand how to keep the roots cool in such an extreme climate.

Water management became another major focus. We learned that in the desert, precision is everything. Too much water drowns the roots, while too little dries them out in hours. Through months of testing, we discovered that watering with 70-degree water helped the roots absorb oxygen more efficiently, improving overall growth. We built a drip irrigation system that delivers steady hydration without waste, keeping moisture levels consistent even through the hottest months of the year.

The desert tested us in every way. There were days when it felt impossible to keep up. The sun was relentless, and we lost more trees than we wanted to. But every challenge made us stronger. Each setback taught us something new. Every failure refined our process. Those 500 surviving trees are not just survivors; they are living proof that innovation, persistence, and care can overcome almost anything.

As we move forward, we’re using everything we learned in Eloy to refine and expand. We’re developing climate-adapted clones from the strongest survivors, improving our underground barrel design, and using all the data we’ve collected to create a scalable model for desert reforestation. We’re also collaborating with environmental organizations, universities, and tribal partners to expand our work and share what we’ve learned.

When people see a Giant Sequoia standing next to a cactus, they stop and stare because it shouldn’t be possible. But it is. That sight represents what Waffle Forest stands for: innovation, resilience, and belief. It’s proof that even in the harshest conditions, life finds a way. We’re not just building a forest; we’re building a future. One tree, one discovery, and one act of faith at a time.

Learn more about our mission or support Waffle Forest at www.waffleforest.org.