SYNONYMS: Metasequoia honshuenensis, Metasequoia neopangaea, Sequoia glyptostroboides
LATIN NAME: Metasequoia glyptostroboides
COMMON NAMES: Dawn Redwood, Water Fir, Shui‑Shan
Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a magnificent fast‑growing deciduous conifer native to remote river‑valley woodlands of central China. Soft flat feather‑like leaflets arrange neatly along deciduous branchlets, forming light airy crowns of fresh spring‑green foliage. As autumn approaches, leaves shift into warm amber‑brown shades before shedding for winter. Pendulous small round cones mature on mature outdoor trees, releasing numerous thin winged seeds. This stately
tree adapts well to moist river‑side ground, large park layouts and botanical arboretum collections.
Seed propagation reliably yields vigorous young saplings and preserves natural genetic variation within cultivated tree batches.
Working from seed brings distinct practical advantages for dawn redwood cultivation. Seed‑raised saplings develop wide‑spreading deep root systems that thrive in humus‑rich damp loam. Seed propagation allows nursery operators to produce large volumes of young trees when cutting stock remains limited. Natural variation within seed lots creates subtle pleasant differences in growth pace and autumn leaf colour among new sapling groups.
Woody female cones ripen through late autumn. Gather cones before scales open naturally. Dry harvested cones in sheltered well‑ventilated space so scales gradually separate and set free flat winged seeds. Clean seeds are separated from cone fragments and chaff. A moist cold stratification cycle readies embryos for steady active growth. Fresh in‑season harvested seed delivers the most encouraging growing performance.
Sow prepared seeds into loose, porous and sharply draining conifer nursery substrate. Cover seeds with a thin layer of fine grit. Bright dappled light shelters emerging seedlings from harsh mid‑day heat. Maintain even gentle moisture and strictly avoid water‑logged growing medium. After dormancy requirements complete, lively seedlings push upward steadily.
Young dawn redwood seedlings unfold soft linear leaflets and build stem strength incrementally across growing seasons. Strategic thinning keeps crowding low and reserves ample underground room for root expansion. Seedlings transplant smoothly once several sets of true leaf sprigs develop, moving into deeper individual containers to accommodate expanding root structures. Placed in open sunny locations with access to consistent soil moisture, these seed‑raised saplings grow rapidly into tall well‑structured conical trees. Mature specimens put on attractive golden‑brown autumn foliage displays and produce seed‑bearing cones, bringing graceful seasonal conifer charm to large‑scale temperate park and landscape planting spaces.
Dawn Redwood is a deciduous conifer that can get up to 150 feet tall with a trunk diameter exceeding 8 feet. It is an extremely fast growing tree that can reach 50 feet in height in just 15 or 20 years. The overall shape is pyramidal with a single straight trunk. As the tree matures, the trunk becomes elaborately fluted and buttressed at the base and the bark is an attractive reddish brown and fibrous, shredding and peeling in long, thin strips. The trees are monoecious, producing oval, light brown female cones (3/4 inch long) and pendant globose male cones (1/2 inch long). The needle-like leaves have a dense, feathery texture, are flattened and linear, about 1/2 inch long and arranged in two opposite ranks. The foliage is fern-like, soft to the touch and somewhat resembles yew. Foliage emerges light green in spring, matures to deep green in summer. In autumn, the foliage takes on an excellent rich orange-brown or coppery color. Even the winter silhouette is very attractive with its massive, fluted trunk and strong horizontal branches.
Dawn Redwood is related to and closely resembles Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Redwood (Sequoia). It is the sole living representative of its genus. It was first described from Pliocene fossils (5 million years old), and only in 1946 did botanists discover that the species was still persisting in a small area of China. It was growing along riverbanks and Chinese peasants were cultivating it for soil stabilization around their rice paddies. The U.S. National Arboretum organized an expedition to collect seeds in 1948 and these were immediately disseminated to other arboreta. Today Dawn Redwood is a well known ornamental in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
Uses: This is a large tree that needs a large space. Dawn Redwood is a fine, stately specimen for large landscapes such as parks or golf courses. They make excellent avenue trees. Dawn Redwoods are at their best along watercourses or ponds and can even tolerate standing water. A stand of Dawn Redwoods creates an effective summertime visual screen and windbreak in just a few years. Popular Bonsai.
