The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is an evergreen coniferous tree and the state symbol of the US federal state of California. Redwoods are some of the longest living trees in the world. The term ‘California redwood’ is imprecise as the giant redwood, a close relative of the coast redwood, is also a ‘California redwood’. Redwood is one of the world’s most expensive
and most durable timbers. It is used to make furniture, interior panelling, windows, doors and flooring. Thanks the ease with which it can be split and its longevity, it is also used to make roofing shingles. Since it contains no resin and is odourless, redwood is also used to produce storage containers for foodstuffs.