What is Californian redwood?
The Wood Guide · The wood register
Softwood · referenceCalifornian redwood
From the coast redwood, the tallest tree species in the world. Warm reddish brown, remarkably light in weight and with a fine, straight grain.
- Sequoia sempervirens
- The tallest trees in the world
- Light and durable
Coast redwoodSequoia sempervirens
Californian redwood
From the coast redwood, the tallest tree species in the world. Warm reddish brown, remarkably light in weight and with a fine, straight grain.
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Redwood in brief
The wood of Sequoia sempervirens, the coast redwood, which grows mainly along the coast of California.
These trees grow enormously tall — they are the tallest trees in the world — and they live for centuries, with impressive trunk diameters. What they yield is a rare combination: a warm reddish-brown colour and a relatively low weight.
That low weight is exactly what sets redwood apart from other durable wood species. Where durability usually comes with density, and therefore with weight, redwood owes its rot resistance to tannins and not to mass. The result is wood that is easy to handle and still stands outdoors for decades.
Redwood's rot resistance comes from tannins in the heartwood, not from density. That makes it exceptional: light enough to carry on your own, durable enough for cladding and garden structures without treatment.
- Botanical
- Sequoia sempervirens
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Origin
- coast of California
- Colour
- warm reddish brown
- Weight
- remarkably low for a durable species
- Grain
- fine and straight
To be fair: old-growth redwood is scarce and protected. What is traded today comes mainly from second-growth forest or plantations, and that wood is less dense and less durable than the old-growth redwood the reputation was built on. Ask about the origin.
What characterises redwood
Light in weight
Unusual for a durable wood species. That makes handling and installation considerably easier.
Warm reddish brown
A colour no other softwood has. Left untreated, it greys to silver.
Fine, straight grain
Calm in appearance, pleasant to work and it takes a finish evenly.
Naturally durable
Thanks to tannins in the heartwood, not thanks to density.
What redwood is used for
| Use | Suitable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cladding | Excellent | Light, stable and durable — the classic use |
| Garden structures | Good | Above ground; light to work with |
| Patio furniture | Good | Soft surface; not for heavily used tops |
| Interior finishing | Excellent | The colour is the argument |
| Construction | Limited | Too soft for heavy load-bearing work |
| Ground contact | Not recommended | Choose robinia or pressure-treated wood |
Frequently asked questions about Californian redwood
Where does Californian redwood come from?
From the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which grows mainly along the coast of California. They are the tallest trees in the world.
Is redwood durable?
Yes, thanks to tannins in the heartwood — and, remarkably, without the high density that durable species usually have. Wood from second-growth forest is, however, less durable than old-growth redwood.
Why is redwood so light?
Because its rot resistance comes from chemical substances rather than from density. That makes it unique: durable and light.
Redwood in perspective
Durability without weight — the exception among softwoods.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Sequoia sempervirens — Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Asilomar State Beach, California — Tony R, CC BY 2.0 · Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Sequoia sempervirens — Tewy, CC BY 2.5