The worth of a redwood tree is complex, depending on whether the value is calculated for commercial timber, environmental services, or protected status. A distinction exists between the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). The Coast Redwood is the commercially valuable species, prized for its rot-resistant wood, while the Giant Sequoia is largely protected. Determining a specific dollar amount for a standing tree is difficult, as the final price is subject to volume estimation, wood quality, and logistical costs.
Calculating the Raw Commercial Timber Value
The raw value of a standing Coast Redwood is calculated by estimating the volume of usable lumber it contains, a process known as timber cruising or scaling. This estimation uses the “board foot,” the standard unit of lumber volume (12 inches long, 12 inches wide, 1 inch thick). Foresters measure the tree’s diameter at breast height (DBH) and its merchantable height, using volume tables to calculate the total board feet.
The quality, or grade, of the wood is the primary variable defining the raw price. Older, larger redwoods yield “Clear All-Heart” lumber, which is free of knots and contains only the dark, decay-resistant heartwood, commanding the highest prices. Lower grades, like “Construction Common” or lumber containing sapwood, sell for significantly less.
The raw log price paid to a landowner (stumpage) is highly variable, but the finished lumber price illustrates the range of value. Lower-grade redwood lumber might sell for around $3 per board foot, while top-tier “Clear All-Heart” vertical grain redwood can exceed $10 per board foot. A single thousand board feet (MBF) of desirable wood can be worth over $10,000 at the retail level.
Market and Logistical Factors That Determine Final Price
The theoretical raw value of a redwood often differs significantly from the final realized price due to external market conditions and the high cost of extraction. Logistical expenses, especially for large, remote trees, consume a substantial portion of the wood’s inherent value. The steep and rugged terrain necessitates specialized equipment for safe harvesting, and building temporary roads further increases operational costs.
Because redwood trees are exceptionally large, their logs require specialized sawmills with massive head rigs and hydraulic bandsaws for processing. The complexity of milling these logs adds another layer of expense to the supply chain.
Market demand also exerts a strong influence on the final price paid for the logs. When the construction market is strong or demand for durable outdoor materials rises, the price for redwood lumber increases. Competition from alternative materials, such as engineered wood products, can depress prices. Fluctuations in construction trends directly affect the price a mill will pay for standing timber.
Non-Timber Valuation and Legal Status
The vast majority of old-growth redwood trees are not available for timber harvest, as their value is legally and ecologically defined rather than commercial. State and federal regulations severely limit logging; an estimated 75% of remaining old-growth Coast Redwood forests and 96% of historical Giant Sequoia groves are protected in parks and reserves. This protected status ensures the trees’ non-timber value is preserved, which often exceeds their lumber worth.
The ecological value of these trees is substantial, particularly in carbon sequestration, which can be monetized through carbon markets or offsets. Old-growth redwood forests store more carbon per acre than any other forest type globally. A single acre of old-growth redwood can store up to 890 metric tons of aboveground carbon, making it an irreplaceable natural carbon sink.
Redwoods also provide a unique habitat, acting as anchors for diverse ecosystems. Their longevity and sheer size support specific plant and animal communities, tying their worth to habitat preservation. A minor market exists for young redwood saplings sold for landscaping, but this niche value is negligible compared to the conservation and ecological services of the mature forest.