Dawn Redwood

Latin name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Etymology: The genus name is derived from the Greek words for ‘near’ or ‘together’ (meta) and sequoia, which is the genus name of the North American redwoods. The species name means ‘resembling Glyptostrobus’, a related conifer genus from Asia.

Family: Cupressaceae (Cypresses)

Origin: Central and Western China

Native habitats: Wet lower slopes and montane river and stream valleys

A majestic nonnative tree with graceful trunk and foliage, this dawn redwood was likely planted by arborist Bob Wells, who lived in Veblen House from the late 1970s to 1998. A deciduous conifer, it loses its leaves in the fall.

Description: Dawn redwoods have a height of between 70-100 feet and a diameter of up to 25 feet. Leaves are feathery and soft to the touch, opposite and less than 1 inches long. They are lost in winter and start out a bright fresh green color before turning a foxy reddish brown in fall. The bark on mature trees is often deeply fissured. Female cones are dark brown, barrel-shaped and up to 1 inch long while male cones are rounded and 1/2" long.

Similar species:

Wildlife value: Canopy provides summer cover for birds and small mammals.

Uses: The dawn redwood is recommended for urban areas in the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast of North America, as its fast growth rate and tolerance for air pollution make it adaptable and able to thrive where other species might suffer.