Coastal Redwood

Coastal redwood is the world's tallest tree species, naturally reaching 200 feet or more, though cultivated forms often remain at landscape scale. You recognize it by its gracefully pyramidal form when young, densely branched habit, and rich red-brown, fibrous bark; leaves are dimorphic, appearing as small flat needles, 1 to 2 centimeters long, arranged in two ranks with white stomatal bands below, plus scale-like leaves on main leaders. Cones are small, egg-shaped, about 2 to 2.5 centimeters long, and brown, ripening within a single year. Native to an exceptionally narrow coastal strip of southwestern Oregon and northern California rarely extending more than 25 miles inland, it thrives only in the persistent marine fog belt.

Coastal redwood demands moist, acidic, deep, well-drained soils with pH between 5.0 and 7.0 and performs best in part shade to full sun. It requires moderate to high water availability and does not tolerate dry soils or temperature extremes; performance deteriorates significantly east of the Pacific influence where humidity drops and drought stress increases. Hardiness extends to zone 7a, though it rarely establishes successfully in continental or southern climates. Growth rate is fast, averaging 3 feet per year. Four cultivars are available in trade, including dwarf and prostrate selections like 'Kelly's Prostrate' and 'Yurok Prince' for smaller garden spaces. Only juniper scale is documented as a pest concern in PNW records. The species is fire-resistant and naturally long-lived, with individuals exceeding 2,000 years old.