1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native. Native to the coastal ranges of northern California and southern Oregon, USA. Introduced to Britain in the mid-19th century; now grown in parks and estates.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Evergreen – retains its leaves year-round.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Needle-like, flattened, 1–2.5 cm long, arranged in two flat rows along shoots. Glossy dark green above, with two white bands beneath. On higher branches, leaves are smaller and scale-like.
Bark: Fibrous, reddish-brown, deeply furrowed, and spongy to the touch. Can be up to 30 cm thick, providing fire resistance.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Monoecious (male and female flowers on the same tree). Male cones are small and yellow; female cones are oval, 2–3 cm long, and contain many tiny winged seeds.
Overall shape: Very tall conifer with a straight trunk and narrow columnar crown, often maintaining lower branches in young trees.
4. Typical Size
30–50 m tall in the UK; up to 115 m in native range (the tallest tree species in the world). Spread 8–12 m.
5. Habitat & Range
In the UK, planted in large gardens, parks, arboreta, and estates, often alongside giant redwoods. Prefers mild, moist climates and deep, fertile soils.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Extremely tall, narrow, straight trunk.
Fibrous, red-brown bark that peels in long strips.
Flat, glossy green leaves in two rows.
Columnar crown, often towering above surrounding trees.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Male cones shed pollen.
Summer: Dense green canopy of flat needles.
Autumn: Cones ripen, releasing seeds.
Winter: Evergreen foliage remains; red bark stands out strongly.
8. Human Uses
In native range, highly valued timber used for construction, furniture, and outdoor structures (very durable and rot-resistant).
In the UK, mainly planted ornamentally in parks and collections.
Occasionally used in forestry experiments.
9. Wildlife Value
Provides nesting and roosting sites for birds.
Dense canopy offers shelter for mammals.
Supports fewer specialist UK insects compared with native trees but contributes to habitat diversity in large landscapes.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
Coast Redwood holds the world record for tallest living tree: Hyperion in California, at 115.9 m.
Bark thickness and fire resistance helped redwoods survive natural fires for millennia.
Introduced to Britain in the 1840s and often planted in Victorian estates as status symbols.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soils. Tolerates acidic, neutral, or mildly alkaline soils.
Light: Best in full sun, though tolerates partial shade when young.
Watering: Water regularly in the first 3–5 years; thrives in humid or moist conditions.
Spacing: Allow 8–12 m for specimen trees; requires extensive space to grow to full potential.
Aftercare: Mulch generously to retain soil moisture. Stake young trees if exposed. Minimal pruning required.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Not suitable for streets or small urban sites due to sheer size. Best reserved for parks and large estates.
Garden: Suitable only for very large gardens, arboreta, or parkland. Provides a dramatic specimen tree but requires long-term space.