California Redwood Facts
The California redwood is the state tree of California, according to Netstate.com. The scientific name for the California redwood is Sequoia sempervirens or the Sequoia tree. California red woods are some of the largest trees in the world and are well known for their beautiful red bark. California redwoods grow between 60 and 100 meters tall, according to Conifers.org. Does this Spark an idea?
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Geography
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California redwoods grow in southwest Oregon and northwest California, according to Conifers.org. Redwoods typically grow within 60 kilometers of coastal areas and at elevations between 300 and 1,000 meters. The redwood coastal strip in California is approximately 724 450 miles long, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Red wood trees are estimated to cover approximately 1.6 million acres on the west coast of the United States.
Habitat
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California redwoods grow best in full sunlight, but can also grow in partial shade, according to the University of Florida. Redwoods prefer well drained soils that are either slightly alkaline or acidic. California redwoods have moderate drought tolerance. Redwoods grow in areas that have an average annual temperature between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Redwoods typically grow at elevations ranging from sea level to 3,000 feet above sea level. However, the majority of redwoods are found between 100 and 2,500 feet.
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Considerations
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The redwood region commonly experiences heavy fogs which helps reduce evaporation, transpiration and moisture loss from redwood trees, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Age
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Some California redwoods have lived to be over 2,200 years old, according to Conifers.org. California redwoods are able to live so young because of a substance called tannin that's found in their bark. Tannin makes bark resistant to termites and insects. California redwoods have thick bark which protects their inner core from forest fires, according to the United States National Park Service.
Taxonomy
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California redwoods belong to the plantae kingdom, tracheobionta subkingdom, spermatophyta superdivision, coniferophyta division, pinopsida class, pinales order, cupressaceae family and Sequoia Endl. Genus, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Characteristics
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Bark is a red-brown color and is approximately 35 centimeters thick. Leaves of sequoia's are between 1 and 30 millimeters thick. Pollen cones are between 2 and 5 millimeters thick. Female pollen cones are between 12 and 35 millimeters long. Redwood trees grow between 3 and 5 feet per year, according to the University of Florida. California redwoods have a spread between 25 and 35 feet. Red woods do not have the potential to become an invasive species.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit redwood trunk image by Carbonbrain from Fotolia.com
