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Dawn Redwood Is Deciduous: Normal Winter Leaf Drop

Don't Panic—It's Not an Evergreen

Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is a deciduous conifer. Like bald cypress, it drops all its needles in winter and regrows them in spring. The tree is healthy if branches are pliable and buds are present.

Distinguishing From Bald Cypress

Dawn redwood: opposite leaf arrangement.
Bald cypress: alternate leaf arrangement.

About Gardening: Shade Trees Losing Leaves Prematurely: Weak Vigor Attracts Insects; Diagnosing Sudden Leaf Drop and Bud Death in Established Roses; Why Roses Drop Lower Leaves in Fall; 'New Dawn' Rose Cyclic Defoliation: Bud Union or Soil Issue; Ficus Benjamina Leaf Drop After Move: Acclimation, Not Overwatering; Reviving a Ficus After Frost Damage and Low Light; Rubber Plant Dropping Leaves: Needs More Sun, Less Water; Ming Aralia Losing Leaves After a Move; Redwood 'Dawn': Deciduous Conifer with Fern-Like Needles and Fall Color; American Holly Losing Leaves in Spring? It's Normal—They're Semi-Evergreen

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