How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Dawn Redwood Trees

When you think of redwood trees, Northern California most likely comes to mind. But there is another species of redwood—the Dawn Redwood—that is native to China. These ancient trees share many characteristics with the iconic giants of the Pacific Northwest. But Dawn Redwoods are much more suitable for ornamental landscaping! It even offers fall color that most coniferous trees lack.

If you want to grow a redwood tree but live far from the foggy coast of Northern California, then Metasequoia glyptostroboides is probably a suitable alternative. Let’s dig into everything you need to know about growing this fast-growing living fossil!

History and Cultivation 

Once thought to be extinct, Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) was rediscovered by Chinese foresters in 1944 in the Sichuan province of Southern China. Botanists thought the trees had been extinct for more than a million years, but when the country reopened to foreign visitors, they found forests full of the “living fossil” tree. 

This tree is a close relative of America’s famous Coast Redwoods and Giant Sequoias, but it has much more cold tolerance and a smaller size. Dawn Redwoods are grown around the world as valued ornamentals. They turn golden-bronze and drop their needles in the fall, which is a unique attribute for a conifer (cone-bearing tree). The deciduous species regrows its leaves in the spring. 

What is It?

Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is an ancient tree and the last living species of its genus. A close relative of California’s Coast Redwood, this species is native to the other side of the world in China. Dawn Redwoods are smaller, more cold-tolerant, and more adaptable than their fog-loving cousins, which makes them ideal for ornamental use in USDA zones 4-8. 

This deciduous conifer is known for its distinct pyramidal shape, straight trunk, and fast growth rate. At maturity, the trunk can reach over seven feet in diameter and 60-160+ feet tall. The tree is mostly suited for parks and botanical gardens, but homeowners with larger properties can grow this redwood.

Where Does Dawn Redwood Originate? 

Metasequoia glyptostroboides is an endangered redwood tree native to the Sichuan province of Southern China, where it is colloquially called 水杉 or shui shan. Much like the famous panda bear, the tree is a conservation icon, and tremendous efforts have been made to preserve the last old-growth forests. These ancient trees date back over 150 million years to the Mesozoic Era.

In its native range, Dawn Redwood trees thrive in mild temperate climates with wet slopes and stream valleys. While they are technically the smallest of the redwoods, Coast Redwoods are the tallest, and Giant Sequoias are the largest by volume, these Chinese natives are still impressively large, with some being documented at over 160 feet tall.

Can I Plant a Dawn Redwood in My Yard?

It is perfectly legal (and recommended) to grow this endangered ancient tree. Dawn Redwoods are more adaptable to temperate landscapes than their cousins. Suitable for USDA zones 4-8, these trees are fast-growing and smaller than other redwoods, but they still require a large area of at least 25 feet in every direction. These ornamental conifers are not recommended for regular residential yards but are suitable for large estates, farms, homesteads, and parks.

Propagation

Coniferous (cone-bearing) trees are typically propagated vegetatively from cuttings. While you can grow a Dawn Redwood from seed, it is a long and laborious process. The seeds have less than a 5% germination rate and can take months to sprout. Moreover, the saplings take a long time to reach a transplantable size. 

For the fastest growth, purchase nursery saplings or take cuttings from an established tree. For more genetic diversity and experimentation, try growing from seed!

Seed

Growing redwoods from seed is a labor of love. The seeds have very low germination rates and can take several years to reach a transplantable size. Nonetheless, seed propagation is important for maintaining the genetic diversity of this endangered ancient species. You can source Dawn Redwood seeds online or collect them from the cones of a mature tree in your area.

The seeds have an average 5% germination rate, so it’s best to plant as many as possible. They don’t require cold stratification, but they do benefit from pre-soaking. This will kickstart the degradation of the seed coat for quicker sprouting. If you soak your seeds, be sure to plant within 24 hours.

Pre-Sprouting

Due to the low germination rate, it’s helpful to sprinkle a lot of seeds in moist paper towels to pre-germinate them. Lightly mist the towel with water, sprinkle the seeds, then roll it up. Keep the towel moist, but not soggy, and place in a sealed container to enhance humidity. Place at room temperature in a shaded area and wait one to four weeks for germination.

When you spot a sprouted seed, you can transfer it to a pot to continue growing. Standard nursery cell trays or tree pots will do. Fill them with a well-drained propagation blend, ideally with a high amount of peat moss or coco coir. Make a hole in the center and gently move the sprouted seedlings into the tray. 

Alternatively, you can sow the Dawn Redwood seeds directly into cell trays. Use bottom-watering to keep the seedlings moist while establishing. This will help prevent damping off disease from attacking the tiny trees.

Cutting

Cuttings are the cheapest and most reliable way to propagate several Metasequoia trees. These fast-growing trees can become nice landscape specimens within just a few years. Start by finding a mature tree at least two to three years old with lots of healthy branches.

Late spring or early summer is the best time to take cuttings from new growth, but you can technically propagate Dawn Redwood at any time of year with hardwood cuttings.

The little tree will drop its foliage in the autumn just like mature Dawn Redwoods. If there is strong root development in the container, then you can transplant into the garden after the leaves fall.

Nursery Sapling

The easiest way to start growing a Metasequoia is to purchase an established sapling from a nursery. This tree is widely available and comes in many different cultivars, including the dwarf ‘Schirrmann’s Nordlicht’ and the vibrant autumn showstopper ‘Ogon.’ You can often find larger bare-root specimens to plant in your landscape for a head start.

When purchasing a nursery sapling, remember to check:

Planting

The iconic pyramidal shape of a Dawn Redwood is recognizable even at a far distance. This living fossil makes a gorgeous specimen tree and grows extremely rapidly—up to three feet per year! 

Thanks to its naturally elegant shape, you don’t need to prune off the side branches or do much maintenance at all. The most important thing is to plant it in an area where it can spread out for years to come.

How to Transplant 

Transplanting a Dawn Redwood is similar to planting most landscape trees. The key is to start with a healthy sapling and give it plenty of room to spread its roots. These trees are much more tolerant of varying conditions compared to their redwood cousins. They don’t mind poorer soil, pollution, and even small amounts of flooding. But they do require full sunlight and acidic soil.

The best time to plant is in the fall after the leaves have dropped but before the ground freezes. This ensures lots of fall rains to help the plant get established. Alternatively, you can plant in late winter or early spring. Dormant specimens are commonly available at nurseries because they have a better chance at root development before new leaf buds emerge.

Spacing

These large trees need at least 20 to 30 feet from neighboring trees or structures. Dawn Redwoods are often too large for regular residential landscapes but are well-suited to big homestead properties, farms, and parks. 

Metasequoia does not grow as massive as its Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia cousins, but it can still spread to 15+ feet wide and 60-80+ feet tall.

There is no evidence that the roots of this tree will harm the foundation of your home, but it is still safer to keep it planted a significant distance from buildings.

How to Grow

This gorgeous deciduous conifer is very easy to grow and adaptable to USDA zones 4 through 8. It is less picky than other redwoods and readily thrives in urban and suburban environments. However, you must ensure a few environmental factors are in place to give your tree a healthy start to life.

Light

Dawn Redwood prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. These ancient trees require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Hotter regions may require partial afternoon shade to avoid heat stress. Avoid planting under the canopy of larger trees.

Water

Moist, well-drained soil is best for Dawn Redwoods. In their native climate, these redwoods thrive in streambanks and low-lying valleys of Southern China. They require consistent moisture to get established, especially if your area is prone to drought. This is why fall plantings are ideal; there is plenty of rainfall to help the sapling establish its roots.

While Metasequoia trees are tolerant of poor drainage and occasional flooding, prolonged soggy conditions are not ideal. The tree can still succumb to root rot if it’s sitting in waterlogged soil. Avoid planting in boggy or swampy areas, but rain gardens are perfectly fine for this conifer!

Soil

The best soil for Metasequoia glyptostroboides is loamy, slightly acidic (5.5 to 7.0), and well-drained. Peat moss and coniferous needle duff or woody compost are great amendments for very hard soils. The tree can grow in heavy clay or sandy ground, but it may take longer to establish in compacted areas.

Climate and Temperature

A cool, mild, temperate climate is the ideal region for these redwoods. They can tolerate an impressively wide range of temperatures from -20°F to 85°F (-29 to 29°C), but they grow fastest in the 60-70°F (16-21°C) zone. The trees drop their leaves and go dormant in the winter, so do not panic if they are exposed to frost. 

Dawn Redwoods reliably grow in zones 4-8, but colder zones may need to protect the tree with heavy mulch and a frost blanket. The species is not picky about humidity or fog, but it does best in moist conditions. 

Fertilizing

You do not need to fertilize this conifer unless the soil is very, very poor. Woody compost, peat moss, or mulch are usually sufficient sources of nutrients. 

Maintenance

The best thing about this redwood is that it stays beautiful with little to no maintenance. The trees naturally grow in a pyramidal shape from a strong central trunk. As long as the young sapling is not damaged or pruned, it will rise to glorious heights without your help. You only need to occasionally check for dead or weather-damaged wood. 

Use a pruning saw to gently remove damaged branches. As the tree ages, you may need to hire an arborist to reach taller limbs if they are harmed in snow or ice storms.

Varieties

Dawn Redwood has been bred and cultivated for ornamental use. These varieties are popular in residential and urban landscapes, parks, and botanical gardens:

‘Gold Rush’

Arguably the most popular Metasequoia, this cultivar is known for its striking yellowish-gold fall foliage. It grows more narrow than the wild type and averages about 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide. This is a great option for medium-to-large yards.

‘Bonsai’

It’s no surprise that this tree is popularly cultivated as a container bonsai tree. The dwarf variety is also suitable for home landscapes. This Dawn Redwood has a beautiful blue-green hue to its foliage and a weeping habit with a bright golden fall color.

‘Schirrmann’s Nordlicht’

Sometimes called ‘North Light,’ this rarer variety is a grafted tree with dwarf growth and creamy yellow-hued foliage from red branches. This unique compact variety is almost variegated and offers all the benefits of a Dawn Redwood to a smaller landscape. 

‘Ogon’

A very fast-growing Dawn, this tree has yellow feathery foliage and stunning fall color. It needs partial shade in hotter climates, as the leaves can scorch in full sun. This tree grows up to 20 feet in ten years. Most ‘Ogon’ come grafted with a strong central leader, ensuring perfect straight trunk growth.

Companion Plants

Native ferns, dogwoods, yarrow, wild roses, and rhododendrons are excellent companions for this tree. These plants don’t mind the shade beneath the cone-shaped conifer and thrive in similar moist, acidic soil conditions.

Pests and Diseases

Dawn Redwoods are delightfully pest and disease-resistant. Japanese beetles are occasionally an issue, but they are unlikely to cause major harm. Spider mites can attack the tree if it is planted in very dry soil. Deer browsing won’t affect these fast-growing fossils. Consistent moisture and proper site selection usually keep the trees very healthy and resilient to harm.

Plant Uses

FAQs