Sequoia sempervirens

Also Known As

Coast Redwood

Plant type

tree, conifer

size

H: 50'-200'
W: 40'-60'

planting zones

7a-9b

More Options

Sequoia sempervirens plant details

Sequoia sempervirens is a fast-growing evergreen conifer tree with green foliage. and brown fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Sequoia sempervirens

Plant type: conifer tree
Plant family: cupressaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 40 FT - 60 FT - wide, 50 FT - 200 FT - tall
Uses: bare root shipping available, big tree, larger quantity available

GROWING CONDITIONS for Sequoia sempervirens

USDA Zones: 7a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer, rabbit and snail / slug, seaside / salt and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The tallest of the world?s trees the Coast Redwood grows to a staggering 350? tall with a trunk up to 25? across (of course it does take 400 years to mature!); lovely, always fresh looking; forms a pyramidal tree (60-90? in cultivation) with flat, bright-green needles and distinct lovely furrowed bark. S/M

By: Forestfarm

Conservation Grade trees are plants that are healthy but do not fit the shape standards for our normal nursery stock sales. Typically trees have crooked stems and irregular or few lower branches that prevent the trees from having immediate ornamental value. However the root structure is good and these trees grow just as well as our standard crop of straight/upright seedlings but at a 50% discount. Conservation Grade trees are popular as a source for cheap trees to be used in large landscape plantings where immediate ornamental appeal is not necessary. As trees grow they will develop the correct structure and a mature Conservation Grade tree will be indistinguishable from a standard Nursery Grade tree. Staking seedlings is usually a good idea to ensure the stems will straighten up.

The Giant Coastal Redwood is one of the most unique and amazing trees in the world, and has become very popular in cultivation worldwide. Although the species grows in a very limited range naturally, it grows in a very large number of conditions and survives in most environments as long as summer water is available. However, these trees are actually far more drought resistant than most people think. At our nursery in Medford, Oregon where average rainfall is about 19 inches with less than 3 of those occurring between June and September (when the average high is in the 90's with 100+ degrees being common, all with very low humidity (10-20% is the most common) we grow Coast Redwoods in the full sun with them being watered only twice each summer. Any landscape with summer watering will have enough moisture to grow this tree. Additionally, there are no major pests or diseases that might attack your tree and make it look sick and yellow. They are also more cold tolerant than most people think - our trees survived -5 degrees for two days straight without even leaf damage.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Coast Redwood is its generation ability. In general, conifers can produce new growth only from existing buds - branches that are cut off will leave a permanently bare trunk, trees cut to the ground will yield a dead stump. Redwoods can produce new buds from old growth along the trunk or from the stump, which has actually been useful to us for maintaining low branching. Because other conifers can't regenerate low branches, pruning them causes dead spots on hedges. This is very true for Arborvitae, which deer tend to eat during the winter. In hard years they eat all the bottom branches, leaving a permanently bare trunk. We love using Redwoods for hedges because they can be continually topped and pruned and will stay dense and full. Additionally, the roots can regenerate and will handle disturbance such as digging or being buried deeper far better than most other trees. In the wild they are well adapted to growing in flood plains where rivers can deposit large amounts of silt over their roots.

Coast Redwoods are known for their incredible shade tolerance, and will grow straight and fast even in deep shade. They are one of our favorite conifers and is the first conifer we started propagating (again unlike many other conifers, Coast Redwoods can be propagated by stem cuttings). When given space and time, they will grow quite large, but they can also be pruned to a hedge or even kept as a bonsai. However, because of their fast growth and immense potential size, we don't recommend planting these in tight residential settings near buildings or property borders.

The Giant Coastal Redwood is the world's tallest tree, with some of the tallest growing to more than 300 feet high with trunks 30 feet in diameter! Redwoods are famous for their fast growth of up to seven or eight feet per year, massive sizes, and incredibly rot resistant wood. The tree's heartwood takes on a red color over time as decay resistant chemicals accumulate in the wood, which is fairly light and even grained. The wood is very strong and the huge demand for the incredible wood has left only very small populations of Redwoods unlogged. The species now only occupies a few percent of its original range and has been listed as an endangered tree. Luckily, a mature tree can produce 5-8 million seeds per year and although the seeds tend to have low viability, plenty of seedlings can be grown each year for reforestation.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Worlds tallest tree and the official California state tree. Fast growing they can reach 50 to 90 feet in 25 years if climate and soil moisture are favorable. A beautiful and symmetrical evergreen tree the rich green foliage has a feathery look that is highlighted by the cinnamon colored fibrous bark. Extremely long lived trees have gorgeous, durable rot resistant wood. Give regular water and plenty of room and needs humidity . Mulch heavily and widely. SW Oregon and NW California When fog comes into contact with redwood trees, it condenses into liquid water and drips off the foliage onto the ground. Where it is used not only by the redwoods but by other plants as well. The ancient biomass of ancient species of the redwood family are responsible for some of the deposits of fossil fuels that humans are so quickly using today as a source of energy and for the manufacturing of plastics. Found in coastal areas (within 60 km of the sea) experiencing a great deal of fog. Communitites located in Redwood Forest Between 0 and 3608 feet .

By: The Watershed Nursery

State tree of California, named for Sequoyah, a Cherokee chief, who invented a syllabary for transcribing the Cherokee language. Huge, evergreen tree growing to over 350' tall but more commonly to 150'. World's largest tree, exhibiting horizontal branches, a narrow crown and bright, yellow-green foliage. Fluted, cinnamon-brown bark covers its columnar trunk exfoliating into long strips. Impressive and often found in groves, emanating a woodsy scent. The thick bark is fire-resistant. Requires full sun or partial shade and regular water when young. Fast-growing tree particularly in full sun with ample water. Fog-loving, it does best along the coast in California. Best in deep, well-drained soil and is tolerant of cold and some heat. In coastal situations plant away from direct salt laden winds to avoid burning the windward foliage. Moderate to regular garden water but much faster growth with regular water. Growth rate can be slowed by withholding water but plants appear stressed. Shallow rooted and resistant to oak root fungus. Cultivars vary in form, texture, and color, but all make handsome specimens. Hardy to 10F. Southwestern Oregon to San Luis Obispo County in the fog belt.

By: Native Sons

This is the famous giant redwood from the northern California coastal area. It won't grow this large in your garden, but in the wild, it can grow to more than 200'. An interesting tree that is not often offered for sale.