# Redwood (*Sequoia sempervirens*) Redwoods are giant trees that can grow very tall and live for thousands of years. They have thick, reddish-brown bark and soft, needle-like leaves that stay green all year round. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 23 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** California Redwood, Coast Redwood, Giant Redwood ![Redwood](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426850/objects/6353.jpg) ## Appearance The Redwood is an incredibly tall, majestic tree with thick, furrowed reddish-brown bark that can appear cinnamon-colored. Its small, dark green needle-like leaves form a dense, conical crown high above the ground. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Cupressaceae - **Genus:** Sequoia ## Interesting facts - Redwood forests store more carbon dioxide than any other forest on Earth! - Redwoods are Earth's tallest living things, taller than a 30-story skyscraper! - Some Redwood trees can drink hundreds of gallons of water every day! - Their mighty trunks can weigh more than 10 large elephants combined! ## Special abilities - **Fire Shield:** Redwood has extra-thick, fibrous bark that helps it survive wildfires by insulating its vital tissues from heat. - **Fog Catcher:** Redwood can absorb moisture directly from coastal fog through its needles, helping it thrive in drier periods. - **Rebirth Power:** Redwood can sprout new trees from its roots or fallen trunks, allowing it to regenerate even after major damage. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-115 m - **Spread:** 10-20 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 300-800 cm - **Lifespan:** 600-2200 years - **Fruit Type:** Cone - **Growth Rate:** Fast - **Leaf Type:** Evergreen ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — browses on young Redwood seedlings - **Shelter:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — nests in branches and eats its seeds - **Depends on:** [Sulphur Tuft](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sulphur-tuft) (*Hypholoma fasciculare*) — decomposes fallen Redwood logs and branches - **Shelter:** Spotted Owl (*Strix occidentalis*) — nests in the high canopies of old-growth Redwoods ## Traits - [Nitrogen Fixing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nitrogen-fixing): Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants. - [Coniferous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coniferous): Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy the beauty of redwoods from a safe distance and be careful on forest trails. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Redwood? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Redwood? 60-115 m ### How wide does Redwood spread? 10-20 m ### Is Redwood edible? No ### How big is Redwood? 300-800 cm ### How long does Redwood live? 600-2200 years ### Where is Redwood usually found? Forests ### What kind of fruit does Redwood produce? Cone ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Arcata Community Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arcata-community-forest) — California, US · Forest - [Headwaters Forest Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headwaters-forest-reserve) — California, US · Forest - [Matthews Beach Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/matthews-beach-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Redwood](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/redwood) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Redwood: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/redwood)