About the wood
California Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
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
- 450 lbf
- Density
- 28.0 lb/ft³
- Origin
- Coastal northwestern United States (southwestern Oregon to central California)
- IUCN Red List
- Endangered
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.