Introduction

Sequoia sempervirens, the coast redwoods of California, are the tallest trees in the world. They can vary greatly when grown from seed, but varieties are available now which have been vegetatively propagated and they retain true characteristics. Redwoods grow three to five feet per year and are remarkably pest-free. They live to be many hundreds of years old; some live to several thousand years. Bark is particularly beautiful, turning a bright orange on older trees. It may grow poorly in zones 9 and 10 in Florida.

General Information

Scientific name: Sequoia sempervirens

Pronunciation: see-KWOY-uh sem-per-VYE-renz

Common name(s): Coast redwood

Family: Taxodiaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 7A through 10A (Fig. 2)

Origin: native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: screen; specimen

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 60 to 120 feet

Spread: 25 to 35 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: pyramidal

Crown density: moderate

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: needle-like (filiform)

Leaf venation: parallel, none, or difficult to see

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, needled evergreen

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: unknown

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: cone, round, oval

Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: brown

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; very showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green, brown

Current year twig thickness: thin, medium

Wood specific gravity: 0.35

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun, or partial shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; occasionally wet; well-drained

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: tolerant

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Redwood maintains a pyramidal form and dark green foliage throughout the year. Planted in a row 15 to 20 feet apart they make a nice screen. In areas outside California and the northwest, it is probably best used occasionally as a novelty specimen.

Redwood is tolerant of flooding, making best growth along stream banks and flood plains. Irrigation helps maintain a vigorous tree in other sites. Allow plenty of soil space for proper development.

Propagation is possible from seed and through vegetative propagation.

Pests

Few insects were noted for Sequoia species.

Diseases

No diseases are of major concern.

Sequoia sempervirens is resistant to oak root fungus.