This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Sequoia sempervirens
  • Coastal Redwood

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Sequoia genus in the family Taxodiaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Soil conditioner
    Soil conditioner
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Sequoia sempervirens has 0 material uses listed
Sequoia sempervirens has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Sequoia sempervirens.

Material uses

A brown dye is obtained from the bark[1]. The bark and the wood contain tannin, but in too low a concentration for economic utilization[2]. On a 10% moisture basis, the bark contains 4.4% tannin and the wood 2.5%[2].

The sprouts from the burls have been used in making baskets[3]. The plant develops a thick covering of a soft and fibrous bark (you can punch it hard without hurting your hand). This can be harvested without harm to the tree and used as an insulating or stuffing material[4]. A fine bark dust that is produced whilst doing this is a good soil conditioner[4]. This fibrous bark is also used for making paper. Branches can be harvested at any time of the year from logged trees, the bark is cut into useable pieces and soaked in clear water prior to cooking for 6 or more hours with lye. The fibres are beaten for six hours in a ball mill and the paper is a brown colour[5].

Wood - straight-grained, knot-free, light, soft, not strong, very durable in contact with the soil. A high quality and easily worked lumber, it is used for joinery, fence posts, construction etc[6][7][8][9][10][4][11].

Unknown part

Basketry
Dye
Insulation
Paper
Stuffing
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A poultice of the heated leaves has been used in the treatment of earaches[3]. The gummy sap has been used as a stimulant and tonic in the treatment of rundown conditions[3].

Unknown part

Stimulant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Soil conditioner

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame in light shade. Seed can also be sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Germination rates are usually very low[7]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Plants will require some protection from the cold and spring frosts for their first year or two outdoors[12].

If there are sufficient seeds, they can be sown in a lightly shaded outdoor bed in late March[12]. Grow on the plants in the seedbed for two years before planting them out into their permanent positions in late autumn or early spring.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August/September in a frame. They form roots in winter or early spring[6]. Pot them up into individual pots once the roots are developing nicely and plant them out in the summer if they are growing well. Otherwise grow them on for the next winter in a cold frame and plant them out in early summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Sequoia sempervirens. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a rich moist soil[6], growing best in deep sheltered valleys in cool humid areas[13][14]. Dislikes chalky soils according to one report[6] whilst another says that it succeeds on chalk[14]. Tolerates poorly drained sites[14]. Tolerates partial shade for many years when young[14]. Strongly dislikes windy sites, especially if the winds are cold[14]. Plants dislike atmospheric pollution, growing poorly in cities[15].

Plants are fully hardy in Britain, though they may lose their leaves in cold winters. This seems to have no detrimental effect on the tree[16]. The giant redwood is probably the tallest growing tree in the world[7][13], it thrives in Britain, especially in the cooler moister western half of the country[7]. It is fast growing in cultivation[13], reaching 25 metres tall in 20 years in a good site[14], and can be successfully coppiced even when quite old[7][13][14]. It is a long-lived tree in the wild, often living 1000 years and with some specimens 2200 years old recorded[11]. Plants are tender when young[7]. If trees larger than 80cm are planted out, they should be coppiced in order to allow the roots to become established[14]. Male cones shed their pollen in February unless delayed by frost when they might wait until April. Frost just before flowering or at the time of flowering kills the pollen[15]. New growth takes place from May until the end of September and can be very vigorous, 1.2 metres a year is not uncommon and this can be maintained for 30 years or more[15]. The best trees are found in Devon, Wiltshire, Perthshire and Ireland[15].

The crushed foliage has the scent of candle wax[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Sequoia sempervirens. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Sequoia sempervirens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sequoia sempervirens
Genus
Sequoia
Family
Taxodiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[3]
Material uses & Functions
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Botanic
[7][17][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Soil conditioner
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    110 x 20 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press (1988-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.614.714.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
    16. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    17. ? Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)

    "image:Muir1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Sequoia_sempervirens&oldid=80855"
    Facts about "Sequoia sempervirens"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyTaxodiaceae +
    Belongs to genusSequoia +
    Functions asSoil conditioner +
    Has common nameCoastal Redwood +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageMuir1.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry +, Dye +, Insulation +, Paper +, Stuffing + and Wood +
    Has mature height110 +
    Has mature width20 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useStimulant + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageMuir1.jpg +
    Has search namesequoia sempervirens + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameSequoia sempervirens +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +