California Redwood
The California redwood is known for its longevity and height. Just like its name, the tree is although not exclusive to the place, but mostly found in that region.
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Pinophyta |
| Class | Pinopsida |
| Order | Pinales |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Genus | Sequoia |
| Species | Sequoia sempervirens |
Quick Information
| Other Names | Coastal redwood, coast redwood |
| Tree Type | Evergreen |
| Identification | Height: Around 379 ft (115 m) Leaves: Old trees have leaves sizing 0.19-0.39 in (5-10 mm) while young trees have flat and long leaves measuring 0.59–0.98 in (15-25 mm) Trunk Diameter: 30 ft (9.1 m) Cones: 0.07-0.19 in (2-5 mm) Bark: Fibrous and soft, colored red or brownish red, sizing around 1 ft(0.30 m) Branches: Drooping Crown: Pyramid-shaped crown with moderate density |
| Distribution | California, Oregon, and other parts in the pacific coast of North America |
| Habitat | 98–2,460 ft off sea level, mountains, and valleys |
| Hardiness Zone | 7-9 |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Lifespan | 500-700 years |
| Growing Conditions | Soil: Moist, alkaline to acidic soil Sun: Full sunlight to partial shade Water: The tree needs regular irrigation |
| Drought Tolerance | Moderate |
| Diseases & Pests | Nothing has been of much concern |
| Reproductive System | Monoecious |
| Propagation | Vegetative |
| Wildlife Value | Flying squirrels use the bark for nesting, the northern spotted owls and Pacific fishers use tree cavities for nesting. Bald eagles, Vaux’s swift, marbled murrelet, great blue heron, and winter wren, Pacific –slope flycatcher, brown creepers, and other small mammals find food in the redwood forests. |
| Uses | The lumber is decay-resistant, light, and beautiful, hence used for trestles, house beams, and railroad ties |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Endangered |
Interesting Facts
- The world’s tallest living tree is a Californian Redwood, named Hyperion and the height is 380.1 ft.
- This is one of the state trees of the American state, California.
- This species is the only one belonging to the genus Sequoia.
References
- https://www.conifers.org/cu/Sequoia.php
- https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=1079
- https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/coast-redwood.htm
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sequoia-sempervirens/
Published on June 12th 2019 by Sahana Kanjilal under Cypress.
Article was last reviewed on 26th June 2023.
