P.H. Shaughnessy , Chief Engineer of the San Francisco Fire Department wrote , In the recent great fire of San Francisco , that began April 18th , 1906 , we succeeded in finally stopping it in nearly all directions where the unburned buildings were almost entirely of frame construction , and if the exterior finish of these buildings had not been of redwood lumber , I am satisfied that the area of the burned district would have been greatly extended . Because of its impressive resistance to decay , redwood was extensively used for railroad ties and trestles throughout California . Many of the old ties have been recycled for use in gardens as borders , steps , house beams , etc . Redwood burls are used in the production of table tops , veneers , and turned goods
great fire
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Sequoia sempervirens