redwood

Redwood is a common name for two closely related groups of large conifer trees in the family Cupressaceae: Sequoia sempervirens, the coastal redwood, and Sequoiadendron giganteum, the giant sequoia. The term is also used for the timber obtained from these trees. Both are among the most prominent forest trees of western North America and are culturally associated with California.

Coastal redwood ranges along the Pacific coast from southern Oregon to central California, in fog-driven coastal forests. Giant sequoia occurs in scattered groves in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California. Redwoods are among the tallest and most massive trees; coastal redwoods can exceed 379 feet (115 meters) in height, with trunks over 20 feet (6 meters) in diameter. Giant sequoias are generally shorter but can reach about 250–280 feet (76–85 meters) tall and very large trunk diameters, with exceptional specimens far exceeding other species in volume.

Adaptations include very thick bark, high resistance to heat, and shallow, wide root systems. Fire is a key ecological factor that clears competing vegetation and helps cone opening in some populations. They depend on fog for moisture in drier seasons, and their long lifespans (often many centuries) support complex forest ecosystems. Reproduction occurs via woody cones that release seeds under suitable conditions.

Conservation and use: Extensive logging in the 19th and 20th centuries reduced old-growth stands, but large protected groves survive in national and state parks, such as Redwood National and State Parks. Timber from redwoods is highly valued for durability and resistance to decay, though harvest is regulated to preserve remaining old-growth forests. Redwoods play a major ecological and cultural role in the region.