Metasequoia glyptostroboides

The Dawn Redwood tree was once thought to be extinct, known only through fossils. It was rediscovered in the wild in the 1940s. It is related to and closely resembles bald cypress (Taxodium) and redwood (Sequoia). While it looks like an evergreen, Dawn Redwood is a deciduous conifer – it sheds its needles every fall. The very pretty flat, feathery foliage emerges light green in spring, matures to deep green in summer, and turns red-bronze, apricot, pink and yellow in the fall. The best fall foliage colour develops in full sun.

Growing to 100 feet tall and 25 feet wide, and roughly conical, Metasequoia glyptostroboides makes a bold statement in the landscape. Fast growing, it can gain 6 feet of height annually. It is typically branched to the ground. It can be pruned up to expose the trunk, which as the tree matures, broadens at the base and develops attractive, and sometimes elaborate fluting.

The Dawn Redwood tree is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, but wants full sun. Best grown in moist, well-drained, humus soil. Appreciates consistent moisture. Metasequoia glyptostroboides tolerates some wet soils.