California or Coast redwood

Sequoia sempervirens

Broadly columnar evergreen, reaching 15-50 m usually, but fast-growing and known to reach over 100 m. Bole to 2m diameter. Bark is thick and spongy, and scales off to reveal a red underbark. Young shoots are green and hairless. Leaves are two different kinds:on main branches they are scale-like all round the stem, 6.8mm long. Those on smaller branchlets are linear and in two rows to left and right of stem. The needles are bright green above, and have two white bands underneath.

What habitats does it normally live in?

Native ot Oregon and California in North America. Ornamental in Europe. Coastal, moist areas, in the wild.

What are its young like?

Male flowers are yellow on tips of small shoots; female flowers greenm 6 mm long. Egg-shaped cones grow on tips of larger shoots, 2-2.5 cm long.

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