Redwood trees are towering natural wonders found along the Pacific Coast. Their immense scale and unique characteristics give them a distinct visual identity. This article describes the various visual aspects of redwood trees, from their impressive stature to their foliage.
Their Imposing Height and Shape
The most striking feature of redwood trees is their extraordinary height, making them among the tallest living organisms on Earth. Coast redwoods can reach heights exceeding 115 meters (380 feet), with some individual trees surpassing the height of a 30-story building. Young redwoods exhibit a pyramidal shape with horizontal branches, gradually transforming into a more conical form as they mature and shed their lower limbs. This creates a remarkably straight and columnar trunk, often rising without branches for a significant portion of its length.
Redwoods grow in dense groves. Their crowns appear narrow within these stands, allowing them to grow close together and create a dense forest interior. The sheer verticality and density of these trees contribute to a cathedral-like atmosphere, where sunlight filters through the high canopy. This collective growth habit also enhances their stability, as their shallow, widespread root systems intertwine with those of neighboring trees.
The Unique Trunk and Bark
The trunk of a mature redwood tree can reach diameters of 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) or more at breast height, sometimes even up to 9 meters (30 feet). The base of the trunk appears enlarged and buttressed, flaring out where it meets the ground. This massive foundation supports the tree’s immense vertical growth.
The bark of the redwood tree presents a distinctive reddish-brown to cinnamon color, which is where the tree gets its common name. Its texture is characterized by deep furrows and ridges, giving it a rugged and ancient appearance. This fibrous bark can be thick, sometimes reaching up to 60 centimeters (two feet) on older trees, providing excellent insulation and protection. The presence of tannins within the bark also contributes to its resilience, helping to deter insects, fungi, and fire damage.
Distinctive Needles and Cones
The foliage of the redwood tree consists of needles. These needles are flat, soft to the touch, and measure 1.5 to 2 centimeters (one-half to three-quarters of an inch) in length. They are arranged in two rows along the branchlets, creating a feathery, spray-like appearance. While vibrant green on their upper surface, they exhibit two whitish bands on their undersides.
The redwood’s canopy appears dense and feathery, contributing to the tree’s silhouette. Needles in the upper canopy, exposed to more dry heat, are more tightly spiked to conserve moisture, while lower branches produce flatter needles to maximize light absorption. In contrast to the tree’s massive size, redwood cones are small, about 2.5 centimeters (one inch) long, and are hard and woody with thick, wrinkled scales.