Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
Majestic Deciduous Conifer with Fast Growth & Four-Season Interest
🌿 Plant Overview
Common Name: Dawn Redwood
Botanical Name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Plant Type: Deciduous Tree (Conifer)
Family: Cupressaceae
Hardiness Zones: 4–8
Native Range: Central and Western China
📊 Key Characteristics
Height: 70–100 feet
Spread: 15–25 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering (produces cones)
Foliage: Soft, feathery needles turning bronze-red in fall
Growth Habit: Tall, pyramidal to conical
☀️ Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Water Needs: Medium to wet (prefers consistent moisture)
Soil: Moist, humusy, well-drained
Maintenance Level: Low
Dawn redwood thrives in moist soils and tolerates wet conditions, making it ideal for larger landscapes and areas with consistent water availability.
🌸 Garden Features
✔️ Fast-growing, stately tree
✔️ Unique deciduous conifer (loses needles in fall)
✔️ Beautiful soft, fern-like foliage
✔️ Excellent fall color (red-bronze tones)
✔️ Strong architectural presence
✔️ Tolerates wet soils and urban conditions
✔️ Deer resistant
✂️ Care & Maintenance
Minimal maintenance required. Provide consistent moisture, especially during establishment. Pruning is rarely needed except to remove damaged or crossing branches.
🌼 Landscape Uses
Specimen tree, large landscape focal point, street tree, rain garden planting, estate gardens
🌿 19 Birch Lane Insight
Dawn redwood adds a sense of scale and timelessness to the landscape—perfect for creating dramatic vertical structure and anchoring large garden spaces.
🌱 Noteworthy Characteristics
A true living fossil, dawn redwood was once thought extinct until rediscovered in China in the 1940s. Its feathery, fern-like foliage emerges bright green in spring, deepens in summer, and turns a striking bronze-red in fall before dropping. As it matures, the trunk develops beautiful fluting and textured bark, enhancing its year-round visual appeal.
⚠️ Problems
No serious insect or disease issues. Ensure adequate space and moisture for optimal growth.
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
Majestic Deciduous Conifer with Fast Growth & Four-Season Interest