WSU Clark County Extension
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Coastal Redwood

Scientific name: Sequoia sempervirens
Taxonomy
Family:Taxodiaceae
Type:Coniferous trees
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:7 to 9
Sun:Full sun
Plant Characteristics
Height:200 ft
Width:40 ft
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Best known as the world’s largest conifer, Coastal Redwood achieves its prodigious size along a 450-mile strip of land along the Pacific Coast beginning in Monterey California and extending north to southern Oregon.

  Morphology:
This Northwest native conifer can attain an eventual height of over 200’ and a width of 40’. While young trees have a pyramidal shape, mature trees take on a narrow columnar form. In natural stands in northern California, the trees develop tall straight trunks with branches only in the upper canopy.

Leaves are mostly needle-like, flat, 2-ranked, 1” long and sharp pointed. The upper surface of the needles are dark green, while beneath there are 2 broad white stomatal bands running length-wise. Cones are egg-shaped, 1” long and brownish in color.

Bark is rich, red-brown and fibrous. The lumber of Coastal Redwood is of economic importance because of its high resistance to decay.

  Adaptation:
Coastal Redwood does best in full sun. It prefers moist, acid, deep and well-drained soils. In its prime growing region it thrives where winter rains and summer fog provide an even temperature and a high level of year-round moisture. Outside of the fog belt the trees don’t attain their size. Redwood is tolerant of flooding, making best growth along stream banks and flood plains

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234