1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Metasequoia glyptostroboides, dawn redwood, is a fast pyramidal deciduous conifer from central and western China, sixty-two to a hundred feet high and fifteen to twenty-five feet across. Soft feathery needles turn copper before dropping in autumn, and the trunk broadens and develops elaborate fluting at the base as the tree matures.
It was known only from fossils until living trees were found in China in the 1940s, and every cultivated dawn redwood descends from that rediscovery. Unlike almost every other conifer it is deciduous, dropping its needles each autumn after turning copper, and the buttressed fluted trunk of a mature specimen is as striking as the canopy.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Tree
Height
972 inches
Width
240 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Water
Moderate to high
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Central and western China
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Give it space; it reaches a hundred feet.
- Plant in full sun in deep soil that stays moist.
- It tolerates occasionally wet ground well.
- Water through the first several summers.
- Do not limb it up; the low branches make the shape.
- Keep it clear of drains and foundations.
Pro Tip
Leave the lower branches alone — the pyramidal silhouette down to the ground is the tree, and limbing it up cannot be undone.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Give it full sun and space ☀️
- Keep the soil moist 💧
- Leave the low branches 🌲
- Site it away from buildings 🏠
Don't
- Plant it in a small garden ❌
- Let it dry out when young ❌
- Limb it up ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enjoy | ||||||||||||
| Water |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Dawn Redwood questions
What zones can Dawn Redwood grow in?
Dawn Redwood is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Dawn Redwood deer resistant?
Yes — Dawn Redwood is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Dawn Redwood bloom?
Dawn Redwood typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Dawn Redwood need full sun?
Dawn Redwood does best in full sun (6+ hours).
More Metasequoia to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Dawn Redwood with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.