If you don’t live in the ideal foggy coastal climate for growing a California Coast Redwood, you can still plant a redwood in your landscape! Dawn Redwood trees are native to China and adaptable to USDA zones 4-8. Garden expert Logan Hailey explains everything you need to know about growing this ancient coniferous tree.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!