Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.
Family: Taxodiaceae
Softwood
Country of Origin: California, U.S.

The tree:
The coast redwood, as it is called on the Pacific seaboard, can reach a height of 120 m! A grove of these trees is a most impressive sight, not only because of their size, but also because they grow so close together. The natural distribution of this species follows the “fog belt” from southwestern Oregon down to Monterey in California. It is seldom found more than 40 km from the sea.

The wood:
Redwood timber grown in California has very similar properties to western red cedar grown in, say, British Columbia. It is easily worked, shrinks very little, is very stable in service and it is naturally durable. Both are superb timbers for exterior joinery and cladding. The heartwood is a warm red which changes to a mellow nut-brown on exposure to light.