Two related species dominate the landscape on the Pacific Coast of California. One is Sequoia sempervirens also known as redwood. The other is Sequoia gigantica, or simply the "Big Tree."

Sequoia is believed to be the tallest and oldest living tree in the world.

Redwood is an apt name for this tree. The sapwood is white but the heartwood is bright red when first cut and deepens to a reddish-brown color. However, the color can vary within a single tree, from part to part, with some being a light cherry color. It is usually straight grained. Varona burl is the name for redwood burl.

White redwood, the term for the wood from some trees grown in the Crescent City area, has neither blemishes nor knots, Black redwood is very rare and is obtained from trees with a very dark heartwood. It is primarily used for tanning vats, designed to be set underground.

Curly redwood is cut from redwood stumps and is very dramatic looking.

It is used for interior finish and also for exterior construction uses. Its durability makes it very popular for cooling towers, vats, tanks, hot tubs, wine casks, coffins, siding, fencing, decks and rustic furniture. It is a popular choice for paneling and millwork. Other uses include: exterior cladding and shingles, pipes for organs, bark is used in the manufacture of particleboard and the burl, found at the base of the trees, is very striking and is used for turnery.

This wood dries easily with little shrinkage or checking and is stable in service. The wood resembles western red cedar in properties It is non-resinous and considered easy to work with hand or machine tools. Sharp cutting tools are suggested since the wood may splinter during cutting. Hand sanding works better than machine sanders for this softwood. It has low bending and crushing strength, low resistance to shock loads, very low stiffness, poor steam-bending rating. Alkaline adhesives cause stains.