DAWN REDWOOD

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

COLLECTION

Oak Park

FAMILY

Cupressaceae formally Taxodiaceae

PLANT TYPE

Tree, Deciduous Conifer

ZONE

5-8

CULTURE

Dawn Redwood is a fast growing, deciduous conifer that performs best in moist, deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soils in full sun. It is related to and closely resembles Bald Cypress (Taxodium).

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

Develops large trunks with wide buttresses, bark exfoliates in ribbon-like strips. The foliage is bright green in spring changing to an orangey-brown in autumn.

PROBLEMS

There are no serious pests but it can be susceptible to canker and Japanese beetle damage and it is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

GARDEN USES

Used in large open areas.

HISTORY

Thought to be extinct until discovered in China by T. Kan. Seeds from these trees were collected and distributed to universities and arboretums. Seeds were planted here in the 1970s.