Redwood trees (Sequoia Sempervirens) are truly amazing creatures in the plant group and are also known as the tallest tree in the world. These redwood trees can grow up to a height of 300 feet or sometimes more. Redwood trees are well known for the residence of lots of birds and other wildlife animals.
It has been discovered that redwood trees are the oldest trees in the world, and a redwood tree can live up to 2000 years. For their huge height, the tops of the redwood trees are always out of sight. Till now, the tallest redwood trees found were 382 feet in height. In this article, you can find the details of the redwood trees.
Redwood tree: Key facts
| Botanical name | Sequoia Sempervirens |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Common name | Sequoia, Giant Sequoia, Mammoth Tree |
| Plant type | coniferous evergreen tree |
| Native | California |
| Leaf type | spirally situated on the major shoots |
| Varieties available | dawn redwood, giant sequoia, and coast redwood |
| Height | nearly 400 feet |
| Season | All year round |
| Sun exposure | Direct sunlight throughout the daytime |
| Ideal temperature | 50 – 60° degrees Fahrenheit |
| Soil type | slightly acidic soil |
| Ideal location for placement | Free garden space with direct sunlight |
| Maintenance | water on a daily basis and sunlight is mandatory |
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Redwood tree: Physical description
The botanical name of the redwood tree is Sequoia Sempervirens. The redwood tree is also called the California redwood because the main origin of the tree was California. Redwood is a coniferous evergreen tree known for its hard and durable timber. The redwood tree belongs to the Cypress family or the Cypressaceae family.
The redwood tree needs a minimum of 400 to 500 years to get a fully grown figure. Usually, the tree reaches 300 feet in height. The base trunk of the tree can be three metres to six metres in diameter, nearly 10 feet to 20 feet.
The leaf arrangements of the redwood tree are quite interesting. Leaves are mainly spirally situated on the major shoots. Some small leaflets are spreading around the major shoot. Those leaves are placed in two different rows, and their shape is needlelike. With the growth of the tree, lower portions are cleared, which results in a clean and columnar trunk.
The tree bark is fire resistant and usually can not be damaged by fire. When the tree is cut, small sprouts are found. As natural reproduction is a very common property of the redwood tree, sprouts are always available in the wound or cuts of the tree.
The bark is also fungus resistant which is reddish brown in colour. The bark is fibrous too.
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Redwood tree: How to grow?
Redwood trees can be grown in various regions. Here are the steps to grow.
- Firstly, you need to collect redwood seeds. Usually, the tree flowers from December to February. The flower creates cones that start to fall at the beginning of the rainy season. This cone consists of a seed that is an inch long.
- When you can get the cone, you have to place the cone in a ziplock bag. Use some perlite inside the bag and keep it in a shady area.
- When you find a small sprout, you have to transfer the seed to a huge pot. Make sure to add some coconut coir, acid fertiliser, macronutrients, micronutrients, and perlite. Also, keep the soil a bit moist so that the seed and the sprout will not dry.
- After good germination, place the sapling in a very sunny area where you want to grow the tree.
- Water the sapling daily, but do not overwater it.
Redwood tree: Care tips
Here are some tips for maintaining a Redwood tree.
Redwood tree: Sunlight requirements
Redwood trees require full sun and do not tolerate shade. Make sure the tree is placed in an area where it receives plenty of direct sunlight.
Redwood tree: Soil requirements
Redwood trees prefer well-drained, sandy loam, acidic soil found in their natural habitat. While they can adapt to other soil conditions, they do not tolerate compacted, alkaline, or salty soil. Ensure that the soil is well-draining and acidic.
Redwood tree: Water requirements
Keeping your Redwood tree watered sufficiently is crucial to ensure a healthy tree. While the naturally occurring fog in its native habitat irrigates the tree in the woodlands, residential settings require regular watering until the tree is fully established. Water the tree weekly for the first five years of its life out to its dripline, where the roots absorb the most water.
Redwood tree: Temperature and humidity requirements
Redwood trees favour climates where the temperatures range between 15 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit with high precipitation levels. The tree’s native range has an average temperature of 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit, with steady dampness provided by the coast and mountain weather systems. If you provide your tree with plenty of moisture and are located in USDA hardiness zones 7-9, it should do just fine.
Redwood tree: Fertiliser requirements
Redwood trees typically do not require supplemental fertilisers and can thrive without any added nutrients. However, watch out for yellowing needles during the summer, which may be caused by alkaline or neutral soil. The redwood prefers acidic soil with an ideal pH of 6.5. Test the soil pH level if you notice yellowing.
Redwood tree: Pruning requirements
Redwood trees require minimal pruning. Remove dead and broken branches and lower branches to expose the attractive bark. The needles and broken branches around the bottom of the tree will create its own naturally occurring mulch called duff.
Redwood tree: Pests and diseases
Redwood trees are highly resistant to pests and diseases once mature. Even a tree that is temporarily plagued by pests will not suffer any ill effects.
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Redwood tree: Benefits
Redwood trees are known for durable timber, which is fire-resistant, fungus-resistant, and insect resistant. The timber is known for resistance against decay. As timber has so many good properties, it is used in carpentry. Also, in some construction works, timber is used. Furniture, fence, panels, etc., are some major uses of the redwood tree.
In the past, timber was also used for producing water tanks and pots.
As the redwood tree is fire resistant, it is used in various outdoor projects too.
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Redwood tree: Toxicity
The redwood tree is not toxic.
FAQs
What is the botanical name of the redwood tree?
The botanical name of the redwood tree is Sequoia Sempervirens.
What is the minimum height of a fully-grown redwood tree?
A fully grown redwood tree can be 300 feet or more.
What are the major variants of redwood trees?
Major redwood tree variants are dawn redwood, giant sequoia, coast redwood, etc.
What is the fastest-growing redwood tree?
The Coast redwood tree in California, USA, is the fastest-growing species.
What are the major features of the redwood tree?
Major features of redwood trees are fire resistant, fungus resistant, and insect resistant.