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Bettesworth Construction
coast redwood

Redwood: Coast Redwoods, Their Wood, and Where Each Fits

Coast redwood is both a remarkable Pacific-coast tree and a construction material. Learn where it grows, how it regenerates, and why redwood lumber’s decay resistance varies.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read
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“Redwood” can mean the coast redwood tree, Sequoia sempervirens, or lumber made from redwood. For construction, the distinction matters: redwood is used in building and outdoor projects, but its resistance to decay depends in part on whether the lumber is old-growth or second-growth heartwood. The coast redwood is also distinct from the giant sequoia, a different species that grows in the Sierra Nevada.

What does “redwood” mean?

This article focuses on the coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, and the lumber associated with it. “Redwood” may also be used less precisely for other redwood trees or parklands. The coast redwood should not be confused with the giant sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum: coast redwoods grow along the Pacific coast, while giant sequoias grow in a limited area of the Sierra Nevada. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory’s 2010 Wood Handbook covers coast redwood lumber.

Where do coast redwoods grow?

California State Parks describes the native range as running from southern Oregon into central California, generally no more than about 50 miles inland where the coastal climate still has an influence. Fog helps protect the trees during the summer drought; abundant winter rain and moderate temperatures through the year also support their growth. The National Park Service likewise describes the North Coast’s cool, moist Pacific air as helping keep redwoods damp through summer drought.

In ideal conditions, California State Parks says coast redwoods may grow two to three feet in height in a year. When moisture or sunlight is inadequate, growth may be as little as one inch annually. These source-reported figures describe a range of conditions, not a growth-rate guarantee for a planted tree.

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#1 Best Overall
VENTRAL Lumber 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2" x 5-1/2") Construction Premium Redwood Board Stud Wood 5FT
  • By Crafters, For Crafters: Crafting and building with wood is our number one priority. Bringing you more of the wood craft supplies you love is our job
  • Versatile Application: Wooden sticks and lumber that take paint, stain, and other embellishments well. Short lengths are suitable for many projects - from DIY decks to framing
  • Pre-Cut and Pre-Sanded: The lumber comes pre-sanded and pre-cut to 12 inch sizes with less than a 1/64 inch tolerance, craft ready. For smaller than 12 inch pieces, you can easily cut them
  • Quality Construction Material: Made from beautiful, quality wood - only the best for woodworkers and DIYers. These are cut and prepared in the USA
  • Premium Redwood Construction: 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2 inch x 5-1/2 inch) construction grade redwood board stud wood suitable for outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the elements

How tall and old can redwoods get?

Agency pages report different figures, so they should be kept distinct rather than treated as one definitive record. California State Parks lists a tallest known coast redwood at 379 feet and an oldest tree at approximately 2,520 years. The National Park Service says coast redwoods can reach 367 feet (112 metres), regularly reach 600 years, and can live up to 2,000 years. The agencies do not state the same figures; their pages’ publication dates are not provided here.

How do coast redwoods reproduce?

Coast redwoods produce small seeds, but California State Parks reports that seed germination is very low. It says most redwoods grow more successfully from sprouts near a mature tree. Redwoods can also regenerate vegetatively: the National Park Service describes growth from stumps, downed-tree root systems, and basal burls. California State Parks lists resprouting from roots, stumps, trunks, buds, and burls.

Rank #2
VENTRAL Lumber 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2" x 5-1/2") Construction Premium Redwood Board Stud Wood 8FT
  • By Crafters, For Crafters: Crafting and building with wood is our number one priority. Bringing you more of the wood craft supplies you love is our job
  • Versatile Application: Wooden sticks and lumber that take paint, stain, and other embellishments well. Short lengths are suitable for many projects - from DIY decks to framing
  • Pre-Cut and Pre-Sanded: The lumber comes pre-sanded and pre-cut to 12 inch sizes with less than a 1/64 inch tolerance, craft ready. For smaller than 12 inch pieces, you can easily cut them
  • Quality Construction Material: Made from beautiful, quality wood - only the best for woodworkers and DIYers. These are cut and prepared in the USA
  • Premium Redwood Construction: 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2 inch x 5-1/2 inch) construction grade redwood board stud wood suitable for outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the elements

How do redwoods survive fires?

Mature coast redwoods have adaptations that can help them withstand fire, including thick bark and foliage high above the ground. Their ability to resprout from several structures also supports recovery after damage. They are not fireproof: California State Parks notes that younger trees are more vulnerable to severe wildfires.

What is redwood wood used for in construction?

The USDA Forest Products Laboratory’s Wood Handbook describes coast redwood heartwood as ranging from light cherry red to dark mahogany, with narrow, almost-white sapwood. Typical old-growth redwood is moderately lightweight, strong and stiff, and moderately hard. It is generally straight-grained, easy to work, and comparatively low in shrinkage and swelling.

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Rank #3
VENTRAL Lumber 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2" x 5-1/2") Construction Premium Redwood Board Stud Wood 6FT
  • By Crafters, For Crafters: Crafting and building with wood is our number one priority. Bringing you more of the wood craft supplies you love is our job
  • Versatile Application: Wooden sticks and lumber that take paint, stain, and other embellishments well. Short lengths are suitable for many projects - from DIY decks to framing
  • Pre-Cut and Pre-Sanded: The lumber comes pre-sanded and pre-cut to 12 inch sizes with less than a 1/64 inch tolerance, craft ready. For smaller than 12 inch pieces, you can easily cut them
  • Quality Construction Material: Made from beautiful, quality wood - only the best for woodworkers and DIYers. These are cut and prepared in the USA
  • Premium Redwood Construction: 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2 inch x 5-1/2 inch) construction grade redwood board stud wood suitable for outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the elements

Redwood lumber is used in building and remanufactured into products such as siding, sashes, doors, blinds, millwork, containers, and casket stock. Documented durable-use applications include decking, tanks, silos, wood-stave pipe, and outdoor furniture.

Decay resistance depends on the lumber

Redwood should not be described as uniformly rot-proof. The USDA handbook says old-growth heartwood has high decay resistance, while second-growth heartwood generally has low to moderate resistance. The handbook’s distinction applies to heartwood; its description of narrow, pale sapwood is not a promise that sapwood shares heartwood’s decay resistance. When evaluating lumber for an outdoor or other durable-use application, identify the material and its intended exposure rather than relying on the species name alone.

Rank #4
VENTRAL Lumber 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2" x 5-1/2") Construction Premium Redwood Board Stud Wood 4FT
  • By Crafters, For Crafters: Crafting and building with wood is our number one priority. Bringing you more of the wood craft supplies you love is our job
  • Versatile Application: Wooden sticks and lumber that take paint, stain, and other embellishments well. Short lengths are suitable for many projects - from DIY decks to framing
  • Pre-Cut and Pre-Sanded: The lumber comes pre-sanded and pre-cut to 12 inch sizes with less than a 1/64 inch tolerance, craft ready. For smaller than 12 inch pieces, you can easily cut them
  • Quality Construction Material: Made from beautiful, quality wood - only the best for woodworkers and DIYers. These are cut and prepared in the USA
  • Premium Redwood Construction: 2 in. x 6 in. (1-1/2 inch x 5-1/2 inch) construction grade redwood board stud wood suitable for outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the elements
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How much of the original redwood forest remains?

California State Parks states: “Less than 3% of that original forest exists.” The agency page discusses historical logging and conservation efforts, including the Sempervirens Club in 1900, Save-the-Redwoods League in 1917, and the creation of Redwood National and State Parks in 1968. The quoted estimate is the agency’s wording; its page does not establish a single measurement definition for “original forest” or give a publication year.

Best Value
VENTRAL Lumber 2 in. x 4 in. (1 1/2" x 3 1/2") Construction Redwood Board Stud Wood 7FT
  • By Crafters, For Crafters: Crafting and building with wood is our number one priority. Bringing you more of the wood craft supplies you love is our job
  • Versatile Applications: These wooden sticks and lumber take paint, stain, and other embellishments well. Short lengths work for many projects from DIY decks to framing
  • Pre-Cut and Pre-Sanded: The lumber comes pre-sanded and pre-cut to 12 inch sizes with less than a 1/64 inch tolerance, making it craft ready. For smaller than 12 inch pieces, you can easily cut them
  • Quality Construction Material: Made from beautiful, quality redwood lumber cut and prepared in the USA for woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts
  • Standard Dimensions: Measures 2 in. x 4 in. nominal size with actual dimensions of 1 1/2 inch x 3 1/2 inch, suitable for construction and framing projects

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