Names and distribution: The sequoia or sequoia tree belongs to the swamp cypress family(Taxodiaceae) and is related to the native yew. The trees are now largely protected. They are found in the western United States of America, mainly in California and southern Oregon. They are called “redwood” because of the color of their heartwood. A distinction is made between the coast redwood(Sequoia sempervirens) and the giant sequoia(Sequoiadendron giganteum). The rootstocks of the sequoia tree produce a burl that is marketed under the name “Vavona”. The extremely thick bark of the sequoias is remarkable. This serves as a heat shield during the recurring forest fires and is the reason why sequoias are among the oldest plants in North America (estimated age: 2000 years, in any case several hundred years old at the time of the discovery of America by Columbus). The giant trees are sensitive to frost and have therefore not spread further north or into the Rocky Mountains. In Europe, from the Wilhelmine period onwards, a number of experimental plantations were carried out, which resulted in one or two strains being placed on the market.
Appearance: The heartwood is salmon-colored when freshly cut, later darkening to purple. Sapwood whitish-yellow-grey. Structure: plain to slightly ridged, occasionally with pronounced ridges. Wide growth rings in the trunk center, which become narrower towards the outside and with increasing age. Earlywood sharply differentiated from latewood. Decorative overall. Redwood rootstock = Vavona = highly valued precious wood.
Properties: The specific weight is given as 0.39 – 0.45 t/cbm at a wood moisture content of 12%. The swelling and shrinkage values are 3.0% in the radial direction and 4.4% in the tangential direction, both low values. The wood is correspondingly dimensionally stable. Drying is unproblematic. Redwood is easy to work and glue. Attractive surfaces are created. The hardness is rather low in accordance with its bulk density, but the natural durability is high. Due to its low availability, its use in exterior construction is of minor importance.
Use: Fitting wood in boat building. Furniture, musical instruments and woodturning articles (Vavona burl)
Replaces: other softwoods
| Sources: |
GOTTWALD (1970): Holzbestimmung der wichtigsten Handelshölzer, University of HH WAGENFÜHR (1996): Holzatlas, Springer-Verlag BAYARD HORA (1980): Trees of the World, Oxford University Press / DRW-Verlag |
