Succulent Reswoods
of the Oakland Hills

The stature and maximum age of California's redwoods-3,500 years for giant sequoia, 2,200 years for coast redwoods-have won the respect of foresters, the praise of poets, and the fervent dedication of conservationists. The trees have won protection and all remaining giant sequoias are held in public trust.

The redwoods are members of the family Taxodiaceae, which include the Japanese umbrella pine the Chinese fir. Redwoods require moisture so they are prevalent near the ocean and the coastal mountains of California. Because of the cooling effect on surrounding temperatures and attractive privacy barrier the tree provides, redwoods are planted as suburban landscaping trees.