Dawn Redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides · Deciduous Conifer
Plant Family
Cupressaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Ornamental / Conifer
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 8; adaptable to various climates but prefers consistent moisture.
About This Tree
A fast-growing, deciduous conifer with a stately, pyramidal or conical crown. Features feathery foliage and a straight trunk that develops deep fissures and a buttressed base with age.
Leaf Characteristics
Opposite, linear, feathery needles about 0.5 inches long; bright green in summer, turning copper or reddish-brown in autumn before shedding.
Bark Characteristics
Reddish-brown bark that is fibrous and stringy; becomes deeply furrowed and develops vertical plates or shreds as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Sichuan-Hubei region of China; widely adapted to temperate regions worldwide.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (bright green); produces inconspicuous cones in fall; leaves turn orange-brown to reddish-bronze before dropping in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; high water needs. Extremely tolerant of wet, soggy soils and can withstand occasional flooding.
Mature Size
Height: 70–100 feet; Spread: 15–25 feet; Growth rate: Fast (up to 2-3 feet per year); Lifespan: 600+ years.
Special Characteristics
Known as a 'living fossil' as it was only known from fossils until discovered in the wild in 1941. High resistance to air pollution and deer.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for birds. Small seeds within cones are consumed by some bird species and small mammals. Its deciduous nature adds organic matter to wetland ecosystems.