Description

Dawn Redwood Tree

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

 

From fossil records, dawn redwood is known to have existed as many as 50,000,000 years ago. However, it was not until 1941 that dawn redwood was first discovered growing in the wild near the town of Modaoqi China by Chinese forester, T. Kan. Seeds collected from the original site were made available to the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1947. Seedlings grown therefrom were planted in front of the Lehmann Building at MBG in 1952 where they have now developed into large mature trees (70’+ tall). Dawn redwood is a deciduous, coniferous tree that grows in a conical shape to 100’ tall. It is related to and closely resembles bald cypress (Taxodium) and redwood (Sequoia). It features linear, feathery, fern-like foliage that is soft to the touch. Foliage emerges light green in spring, matures to deep green in summer and turns red-bronze in fall. As the tree matures, the trunk broadens at the base and develops attractive and sometimes elaborate fluting. Trees are monoecious, producing oval, light brown female cones (3 4” long) and pendant globose male cones (1 2” long). The twigs, needles and cone scales are in opposite pairs.

 

Mature Height : 70-100 Feet

Mature Width :20-25 Feet

Exposure : Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness Zones : 4-8