Redwood in Lincoln Park

Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in Lincoln Park October 2011

Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in Lincoln Park October 2011

Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in Lincoln Park October 2011

Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in Lincoln Park October 2011

Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in Lincoln Park October 2011

If you have been thinking about planting Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood) in Seattle, take a look at Lincoln Park in West Seattle.  There are at least 2 groves at the north end of the upper area of the park.  Redwoods are fairly common in Seattle parks, usually as single specimen trees.  It is unusual to find them in private gardens.  Oddly enough, it is more common to find Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sierra Redwood), a tree that takes up much more horizontal space, in private gardens here.  There is a 3rd redwood less commonly found in Seattle, the deciduous Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood).  Sequoia sempervirens can live more than 1,500 years & grow to a height of more than 300 hundred feet.  They are unlikely to grow to that size in a garden environment, even if left alone for 1,500 years.  But don't plant them too close to the house.  Young trees grow quickly, a big plus for gardeners in a hurry.  The Sunset Western Garden Book says that Coast Redwood can be planted 7 feet apart.  But I would give them more space, maybe 10 feet apart at a minimum. Sequoia sempervirens are native to northern California from the Oregon border to the San Francisco Bay Area.