Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world. They grow straight and tall to a height of over 300 feet (90 meters).
Needles:
The needles
are flat and lie flat on the twig like grand fir. But unlike grand fir,
they point forward at an angle. They are dark green on top with white
lines underneath.
Cones:
The small,
egg-shaped cones look like miniature giant sequoia cones. They are
hard and woody with scales that look like
lips.
Bark:
The reddish-brown
bark is thick with deep furrows and has a ragged look. It's quite soft
to the touch, especially when wet.
Where
it grows: In Oregon, redwoods grow only on the extreme southern
coast near Brookings. The northern-most sites are in two groves
along the Chetco River. Redwoods extend to the central California coast
and typically range to an elevation of 1000 feet (300 meters).
Redwood at Hoyt Arboretum
Uses:
The wood is
light, strong, and resists decay. Its beauty and color make it a
favorite for siding, decking, fencing, and lawn furniture.
Names: Sequoia
is named after Sequoyah, a member of the Cherokee tribe, who created a writing
system for the Cherokee language. Sempervirens
means evergreen. Other common names: coast redwood and California redwood.
Tallest: The iconic redwood has a
well-deserved reputation for grandeur. The world's tallest tree is a 379 foot (115.5 meters) redwood named
Hyperion, discovered in 2006 in Redwood National Park. Redwoods
reach maturity at about 500 years. The oldest is over 2200 years
old.
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