Sequoia sempervirens

Habit: coast redwood is a fast growing, symmetrical conifer, having a conical crown, with dense, horizontal to slightly drooping branches and very thick, reddish brown fibrous bark. Leaves are needle like and 1 in (2.5 cm) long, dark green above and waxy with two blue-white stomatal bands below. Cones are very small and spherical 0.5 -1 in (1.5-2.5 cm) occurring at the ends of branches, with both male and female on the same tree. The two winged seeds are released when the cone scales dry out and open at maturity.

Ecology: endemic to a narrow 450 mi (724 km) long strip that ranges between 5-35 mi (8-56 km) wide along the Pacific Coast beginning in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon and ending in Monterey County, California, an area that experiences heavy fog. The elevation range is mostly from 98-2460 ft (30-750 m).

Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade, in moist, nutrient rich, well drained soil.

Quite possibly the tallest tree in the world is a coast redwood, called Hyperion, at 377 ft (115 m) tall and 16 ft (4.84 m) diameter. Redwood forests provide habitat for a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.