The dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), a fast-growing sequoia tree that is best planted in the fall, grows 2 to 3 feet taller every year and swiftly matures into a huge tree with a pyramidal shape and base that develops a wide flare. As the tree ages, the bark develops deep fissures. The opposing, fluffy, finely textured needles are about 1/2 inch long. This is one of the few deciduous conifers; in the fall, they turn shades of red and brown before falling. Fruit: a female oval cone, 1 inch in size.
The largest trees in the world, sequoias are usually too massive for gardens and landscapes unless you have an abundance of land. Before a population was found in China in the 1940s and seeds were sent to the US to establish colonies there, they were believed to be extinct.
Dawn Redwood Tree Overview
| Common Name | Dawn redwood |
| Botanical Name | Metasequoia glyptostroboides |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Plant Type | Tree |
| Mature Size | 75-100 ft. tall, 15-25 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-8 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Asia |
Dawn Redwood Care
The giant sequoia (Sequoiadenron giganteum) of California and the coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervires) of the family are the most well-known members, though neither is frequently planted for landscape purposes. The morning redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, does, nevertheless, play a part in landscapes. It’s too enormous for most private gardens, but it looks great as a boulevard tree in public parks, on large estates or farms, and in public parks. It can be a suitable choice for large rain garden areas because it performs rather well in damp soils.
The dawn redwood is an exceptionally trouble-free tree, considering that it has been there for many millions of years. Due to its late season growth and potential for early chilling, it can be vulnerable to frost damage. If at all feasible, locate a location that can provide some shelter from the weather, particularly if you are in the northernmost portion of its hardiness range.
Plant this tree where there is a nearby water supply for irrigation or in continuously moist, acidic to neutral soil. Dawn redwood requires full sun to grow to its full potential and will not thrive in dry soil. This enormous specimen will require room, so pick a spot where there is lots of open area around the tree.
Light Requirements
To grow to its peak height, this redwood requires full sun, or at least six hours of direct sunshine on most days.
Soil
Soils that are dry or alkaline do not support the growth of morning redwoods. There are ways to make your soil acidic if your location is slightly alkaline, but you might need to apply this treatment frequently. If the soil is highly alkaline, adjusting the pH will be more challenging.
Watering
To make irrigation easy, this tree should ideally be planted close to a water source. It does not have much trouble with loamy, wet soil. Weekly, give the entire area beneath the branch canopy—which can be rather large—at least 1 inch of water. Water the soil whenever it feels dry to the touch, as large trees will absorb this quickly.
Temperature and Environment
The USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 are ideal for the dawn redwood, and it thrives in areas with cool humidity in particular.
Fertilization
In general, if this tree is put in properly humusy soil, it doesn’t need to be fed. Apply an iron-rich fertilizer to the soil surrounding the tree once a year in more arid areas. Refer to the product label for directions on how much to use.
Pruning
Dawn redwood naturally takes on a pyramidal shape, so aside from the usual removal of dead, diseased, and broken branches, not much pruning is required. Use a pruning saw or pruner with a long handle when the tree is young. Make the cuts with the trunk or main branch at a 45-degree angle.
Since these trees can grow to be very huge, keep an eye out for snow and ice damage to the limbs. Damage can even extend to falling branches, which is obviously a major concern. Dawn redwoods grow swiftly, so when pruning is required, expert trimming is required.
Propagating Dawn Redwood
Hardwood cuttings can be used to propagate dawn redwood. Propagated trees can quickly become valuable landscape specimens due to the plant’s rapid growth. You can plant the seedlings before fall if you take cuttings early in the spring. How to do it is as follows:
- Sand should be added to a 1-gallon nursery container until it is two inches from the top.
- To ensure a thorough rinse, run water through the container for five minutes.
- Using a pruning saw, trim a 6-inch-long shoot from a side branch of the tree. The stem of a perfect cutting should be around 1/4 inch thick. Just below a leaf node, angle the cut end at a 45-degree angle. At the cut end of the branch, remove a piece of bark that is roughly 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch wide, being careful not to injure the leaf node.
- Apply acid rooting powder to the scraped region and the cut end.
- Place the branch cut side down in the sandpot, burying it approximately halfway down its length.
- Make sure the sand is consistently moist and place the pot in a shaded outdoor area. The rooting process could be accelerated by setting the pot on a heated surface.
- After a month, pull on the branch to check if roots are keeping it in place. This is a test for roots. Anchoring roots can take up to two or three months to grow.
- After the cutting’s roots have grown, transfer it into a 1-gallon nursery container that has been equally filled with loam, sand, and compost.
- For the remainder of the season, give the plant two inches of water every week. Plant the tree in the garden once its leaves have fallen in the autumn.
How to Grow Dawn Redwood From Seed?
Because of its low germination rate—roughly 5 percent—growing this tree from seed can be challenging. If you decide to give it a try, place at least 20 seeds in a peat pot with just 1/4 inch of dirt covering them. To germinate, they require bright light. To improve humidity, place the pot in a plastic bag, make sure the soil is kept moist, and place the pot in a cool spot with only indirect light. Should the seeds sprout, this should occur within 30 to 40 days. Before planting the seedling in the ground, allow it to develop several inches and become sturdy.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
This tree can have issues with spider mites and Japanese beetles, although the damage is usually only visible and never fatal. While certain fungal infections may attempt to spread, they can be controlled with the right fungicide. Canker could occur in the tree, particularly if it is under stress. In the event that this occurs, cut off the impacted branches right away.