Botanical Name: Metasequoia glyprostroboides Add
Common Name: Dawn Redwood  
Plant photo of: Metasequoia glyprostroboides
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  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

 

Height Range

25-40', 60-100'

 

Flower Color

Green

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Dark Green, Light Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Red

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Japanese, Meadow, Wetlands, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Silhouette, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Lawn, Park, Street Tree

 

Special Uses

Container, Screen, Mass Planting

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Laura Van Leuven
Photographer: Linda Engstrom/Sortomme
  • Description

  • Notes

The Metasequoia is a dense, pyramidal, deciduous conifer with a central leader and under positive cultural conditions performs as a rapid grower. It has an opposite branching pattern, with branchlets of long, simple needles that appear to be flattened. During the spring, its foliage is a bright reddish-brown color that matures to a light green tone, and an autumn shade ranging from a tawny pink to golden bronze. Its furrowed bark is attractive, orange-brown to red-brown and peels in vertical strips.
When sufficient moisture is present, the tree will grow on a variety of soils. However, the best results occur with plantings in moist, acid organic soils with good drainage and full sun. Beware of winter wind damage in cold, dry areas.