Get a Natural High: The Redwoods
Sequoia sempervirens,
or the coast redwood, is the sole extant species of the genus
Sequoia. The trunk of the
coast redwood is
covered in red, shredding bark and is usually
about 3-5 meters (10-16 feet) wide. However, the diameter is able to
reach 7 whole meters (22 feet). The bark grows up to 12 inches
thick! The branches bear needle and awl shaped leaves. There are
three different types of redwoods.
Sequoia sempervirens is
the tallest redwood, which can grow to a height of over 370 feet.
The two pictures shown on this page are
of "Big Tree" found in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park near Orick,
California. This particular coast redwood is 304 feet tall and 21.5
feet in diameter. It is approximately 1,500 years old.
Sequoiadendron giganteum,
or the giant sequoia, is the largest tree in the world. The General
Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park is the largest living organism
on Earth, with a total volume of 50,000 cubic feet. The height of
the giant sequoia only reaches up to 311 feet. In addition, compared
to the coast redwood, the giant sequoia is able to live around 1,000
years longer.
Metasequoia
glyptostroboides, also known as the dawn redwood, was once
thought to be extinct. However, in 1944, living trees of this
species were found in China. This tree is easily differentiated from
its California relatives by its smaller size and deciduous leaves.
Video:
Sequoia
sempiternus??? Nope, sorry!
Sequoia sempervirens!!!
Want to know about the different taxonomic levels of the coast
redwood? If your answer is yes, continue to the next page!
Classification
If you would like to learn about other
organisms, visit
http://MultipleOrganisms.net
for a list of different species to choose from.