Wood species

California Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens · Cupressaceae

The tallest tree on earth, growing only from southwest Oregon to central California, and listed Endangered by the IUCN after roughly a 50 percent decline from historical logging. Old-growth and second-growth are different woods on paper, and we keep both sets of numbers.

Janka hardness: 450 lbf
Density: 28.0 lb/ft³
Shrinkage T / R: 4.7 / 2.4 %
Origin: Coastal northwestern United States (southwestern Oregon to central California)
IUCN Red List: Endangered

Shop California Redwood in stock (4)All live edge slabs

Pictured: California Redwood Live Edge Wood Slab #RSC490 88" x 37" - 48" x 2.8"

About California Redwood

California Redwood runs from light pinkish brown to deep reddish brown, with straight grain most of the time and wavy or irregular figure in the pieces worth talking about. Texture is coarse and the wood is light. It cuts easily with hand or machine tools, but planer tearout is common, so we take the last pass light and finish on the sander. The heartwood is rated moderately durable to very durable against decay, and it has a distinct smell when worked that fades, unlike cedar. It suits benches, mantels, shelves and low-traffic tables; it dents under daily dining use. Coast redwood grows only from southwest Oregon to central California and is listed Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Working & finishing

Typically easy to work with hand tools or machinery, but planer tearout can occur, especially on figured stock, so the shop takes a light final pass and finishes on the drum sander. At 450 lbf it dents from a dropped tool, so the finished face gets protected on the bench. A clear oil or hardwax deepens the red and suits the coarse texture; a film finish helps a top that will see spills. Reported as a sensitizer (eye, skin, respiratory), so dust collection matters.

Care

Wipe spills and clean with a damp cloth. This is one of the softest woods OCC sells, so use boards, trivets and felt under anything heavy. Heartwood is rated moderately durable to very durable against decay; old-growth stock can live outside with an annual oil, second-growth wants a roof over it.

In stock now