Coast Redwood

Scientific Name: Sequoia sempervirens

Category: tree

Coast Redwood

Brief Description

A tall evergreen tree with reddish-brown fibrous bark and flat needles.

Characteristics

Features thick, deeply furrowed reddish bark and small, flat, dark-green needles arranged in two rows. It is known for its massive trunk and immense height.

Habitat

Temperate rainforests and coastal areas with high humidity and fog.

When to Find It

Green year-round; cones typically mature in late autumn.

Conservation Status

Endangered (IUCN)

Ecological Role

Provides critical habitat for diverse species, sequesters huge amounts of carbon, and helps maintain the water cycle through fog drip.

Easily Confused With

Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) which has awl-shaped leaves and thicker bark, and Western Red Cedar which has scale-like leaves.

Observation Tips

Look for these in cool, foggy coastal canyons. They are best photographed in soft light or mist to capture their scale.

Interesting Facts

Coast Redwoods are the tallest living things on Earth, capable of reaching heights of over 379 feet and living for over 2,000 years.