Sequoia sempervirens aka Coast Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens, also known as coast redwood, coastal redwood, or California redwood, is the only living species in the Sequoia genus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. It is a long-lived, evergreen, monoecious tree with a lifespan of 1,200-2,200 years or more. These trees are among the tallest and longest-living organisms on Earth, with heights reaching up to 115.9 meters (380.1 feet) and diameters up to 8.9 meters (29 feet) at breast height. This species originally occurred naturally in an estimated 810,000 hectares (2,000,000 acres) along coastal California and the southwestern corner of coastal Oregon. In addition to Sequoia sempervirens, the subfamily Sequoioideae also includes Sequoiadendron (giant sequoia) and Metasequoia (dawn redwood). However, the term redwood specifically refers to Sequoia sempervirens and not the other two species. In California, there are Redwood trees that rank among the world’s tallest living things. In home landscapes, Sequoia sempervirens can be enjoyed as a fast-growing evergreen specimen or planted in a row to create a hedge. The fine-needled foliage adds a soft texture to the landscape. This tree is the State Tree of California and provides instant form and structure to any landscape. Sequoiadendron gigantea, on the other hand, is the state tree of California and is known for its rapid growth of up to three feet a year. It has naturally rot-resistant wood and a pyramidal shape when young, but loses lower branches with age.