Sequoia sempervirens

Common Names

Coast Redwood, Redwood, California Redwood, Coastal Redwood

Summary

Coast redwood is an evergreen conifer native to the foggy coastal plains from southern Oregon to central California. It forms a tall, 60–120 ft tall, pyramidal-to-conical crown with a massive trunk, dark green needle-like foliage, and thick, reddish-brown, deeply furrowed bark; cones are small. It is one of the fastest-growing conifers, adding about 3 feet per year, and can live for hundreds to thousands of years in suitable conditions.

It grows best in full sun to light shade, in moist, well-drained soils that are acidic to slightly alkaline, tolerates wet soils but not dry, and benefits from regular irrigation, especially in the first five years, with mulch kept around the trunk and irrigation at the drip line. It requires ample space and is not well suited to small gardens; virtually pest- and disease-free and often requires little pruning. Common landscape uses include specimen plantings or focal points in large gardens or parks, with additional value for timber and decorative uses, and it is sometimes suggested for rain gardens.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

60-380 feet

Spread

15-25 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Deep, moist, well-drained, acidic soil with high organic content

Soil Drainage

Moist and well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5.5–6.5

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change, green year-round

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Fast growth, 1–3 ft per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings (woody cuttings, softwood cuttings, semi-ripe cuttings, root cuttings), Layering, Vegetative propagation (sprouts from stumps/root crowns, trunk sprouts, asexual sprouting from burl/base), Tissue culture

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators