They have more 10 to 20 growth rings per inch compared to three to six rings in a smaller tree. But those qualities aren't so important now that timber can be treated with preservatives, Harwood said. It's the wood's clear grain that pays. An average old growth log, twice the diameter of a younger tree, is worth four times as much, he said. Redwood is still competitively priced with other woods because much of the building material comes from young redwood forests, said Chris Grover, executive vice president of the California Redwood Association, a trade group of seven private companies.
Redwood is so popular because it holds up so very well under weather in siding, decking or fencing.
It has natural resistance to decay and insects, and is less apt to warp and crack. Those characteristics lead to its long-lasting beauty. Personally, I think all woods are beautiful. But redwood is particularly beautiful in terms of colors and the grain. Perry, the Oregon State professor, said that regardless of its dollar value, trees like those in the Headwaters Forest should be left alone.