Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

Dawn Redwood – Living Fossil Deciduous Conifer

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, the Dawn Redwood, is a fast-growing, deciduous conifer once known only from fossils and thought extinct until living populations were discovered in China in the 1940s. It has feathery, opposite, soft green needles that turn orange-brown in fall before dropping. The bark is reddish-brown and fissured. It grows rapidly to 70–100 feet, preferring moist, well-drained soils and full sun. It is a majestic specimen tree for large landscapes and a symbol of conservation success.

Taxonomic Details