The simple answer to whether redwoods grow in Washington State is no, at least not as native, self-sustaining forests. The term “redwood” refers to two distinct species of massive trees whose natural habitat is confined almost entirely to California and a small part of Oregon. Confusion often arises because Washington is home to some of the largest and tallest tree species in the world, which visually dominate the landscape. Understanding the difference requires looking closely at the specific biological classifications and the unique environmental conditions required by these trees.
Defining the True Redwood Species
The name “redwood” scientifically applies to two specific members of the cypress family. The Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is recognized as the world’s tallest tree species, frequently exceeding 300 feet in height. These slender giants grow primarily along the narrow fog belt of the Pacific Coast.
The second species is the Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), which is distinguished by its immense overall mass and girth. While shorter than the Coast Redwood, the Giant Sequoia is considered the largest tree on Earth by volume, possessing thick, cinnamon-red bark and massive, columnar trunks.
The Native Range Limitation
The natural distribution of the Coast Redwood is highly restricted due to specialized ecological requirements. These trees depend heavily on the persistent, cool coastal fog that blankets the region from Big Sur, California, up to the Chetco River in southwestern Oregon. This fog provides a direct source of moisture during the dry summer months, preventing desiccation.
The species also requires specific, mild temperature ranges, generally avoiding both hard freezes and prolonged heat. Specific soil types and consistent, high rainfall amounts found in the narrow coastal strip are also factors limiting the natural spread of the redwood forest. Washington State, while receiving ample rainfall, lacks the consistent, year-round maritime fog layer that defines the redwood’s preferred climate.
The state’s inland areas experience colder winter temperatures and sharper seasonal temperature swings unsuitable for the natural regeneration of true redwoods. These climatic differences explain why the native redwood range stops just south of the Washington border.
Washington’s Native Giant Trees
The perception that Washington hosts native redwoods is understandable given the towering stature of its own native conifers. The state is dominated by the Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), a species that often reaches heights comparable to the Coast Redwood, with some individuals surpassing 300 feet. The Douglas Fir is an immensely successful species across the Pacific Northwest, valued for its rapid growth and straight, impressive trunk.
Another species often mistaken for a redwood is the Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), known for its incredible girth and longevity. While not as tall as the Douglas Fir, the Western Red Cedar develops a massive, flared base and thick, fibrous reddish-brown bark that shares a visual resemblance to the bark of the Giant Sequoia. The Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) also contributes to the visual dominance of Washington’s coastal forests.
The sheer size and age of both the Douglas Fir and the Western Red Cedar create an imposing forest canopy that leads many visitors to assume they are witnessing a redwood grove. The massive scale is a result of the region’s specific temperate rainforest conditions, characterized by moderate temperatures and high precipitation.
Cultivated Redwoods in Washington
Despite the absence of native populations, true redwood trees can sometimes be found growing in Washington due to human cultivation. Both Coast Redwoods and Giant Sequoias have been successfully planted in specific, milder microclimates, particularly in sheltered urban areas around the Puget Sound region. These trees survive because the temperate climate in these areas is sufficiently mild to prevent hard freezes that would kill younger specimens.
However, these planted trees are not part of a naturally regenerating ecosystem and rarely achieve the immense dimensions of their Californian counterparts. They serve as ornamental specimens in parks and arboretums rather than forming self-sustaining forests.