Redwood
Subfamily of conifers containing the world's largest and tallest trees.
Redwoods are a subfamily of coniferous trees within the family Cupressaceae, known as Sequoioideae, that range in the northern hemisphere. They include the largest and tallest trees in the world and are among the most distinctive trees, commonly used as ornamentals. The subfamily reached its peak of diversity during the early Cenozoic and comprises three living species: the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), the giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum), and the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides).
- Scientific subfamily
- Sequoioideae
- Living species
- 3 (Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
- Distribution
- Western United States (coastal California and Oregon, Sierra Nevada) and China
- Known for
- Largest and tallest trees in the world; can live for thousands of years
- Conservation status
- Endangered (all three species assessed by IUCN)
- Peak diversity
- Early Cenozoic
- Oldest fossil
- Sequoia jeholensis from Jurassic deposits
Lore & Background
The redwood subfamily includes three genera: Sequoia from coastal California and Oregon, Sequoiadendron from California's Sierra Nevada, and Metasequoia in China. Only Sequoia and Sequoiadendron are known for massive trees; Metasequoia is deciduous, grows smaller, and can live in colder climates. The trees can live for thousands of years and face threats from logging, fire suppression, and burl poaching. Multiple studies support that Sequoioideae are monophyletic, with most phylogenies placing Sequoia as sister to Sequoiadendron and Metasequoia as the out-group. The polyploidy of Sequoia sempervirens (hexaploid) has led to hypotheses of reticulate evolution, with evidence suggesting it may have originated from hybridization between Metasequoia and Sequoiadendron.
Reader's Guide
Redwoods are significant as the largest and tallest trees on Earth, with a fossil record extending back to the Jurassic. Their ancient lineage and adaptations to temperate climates, such as Mediterranean and humid subtropical zones, highlight their evolutionary resilience. The subfamily once had a massive range across the Arctic, Europe, North America, and Asia, but cooling trends and ice ages reduced them to refugial ranges in the western United States and China. The debate over human intervention versus natural processes in managing their recovery underscores their ecological fragility.
Did You Know?
- The oldest described Sequoioideae species, Sequoia jeholensis, comes from Jurassic deposits.
- Sequoia sempervirens is hexaploid (2n=6x=66), a rare condition among gymnosperms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Redwood?
Redwood is the common name for the subfamily Sequoioideae, a group of coniferous trees in the cypress family that includes three surviving species. These trees are famous as the tallest and most massive living organisms on the planet.
What are Redwood's powers or special abilities?
Redwoods can reach staggering heights and girths, dwarfing virtually every other tree species. They are also extraordinarily long-lived, with some individuals persisting for several thousand years.
How does Redwood's story end?
All three living redwood species are currently listed as Endangered by the IUCN, signaling that their populations face serious long-term threats. Without sustained conservation work, these ancient giants risk vanishing from the wild.
Why is Redwood important to the bigger picture?
Redwoods reached their peak of diversity during the early Cenozoic era, playing a major ecological role in ancient landscapes. Today they remain beloved ornamental trees and serve as living links to deep botanical history.
Where does Redwood live?
The coast redwood is native to the foggy coastal strips of California and Oregon, while the giant redwood grows in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The third species, the dawn redwood, is native to China.
More in Tree Species 1-15
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