Introduction to Dawn (or Chinese) Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

By Joan Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History by Michael G. Barbour (Editor), et al. Refers to dawn redwoods as well as coast redwoods.

Book Review of Discovered Alive: The Story of the Chinese Redwood by William Gittlen (Pierside Publications).

	Deforesting the Earth: From Prehistory to Global Crisis by Michael Williams.
Books read.	Current hot books on trees and forests.
Ecology. Evolution notes.	A Guide to the Sequoia Groves of California by Dwight Willard - a well-illustrated introduction to the Sequoia groves of the Sierra Nevada.
Trees of North American. Trees of the American Pacific Northwest.	Forest and Tree Home, Glossary pages: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

Why we care about the Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides).

Metasequoia is a fascinating international tree. Native only to China, it is grown as a guest tree world-wide and especially in California:

• Metasequoia appears in the fossil record in California.
• Many individuals and organizations (including the D.A.R. or Daughters of the American Revolution) have planted and nurtured Metasequoia in urban forests and arboretums throughout California.
• As a fossil, Metasequoia was recognized as a separate species from the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) only in the mid-twentieth century, by a researcher in Japan.
• Independently, in 1941, a forester in China discovered the revered, living Metasequoia, in the village of Motaochi.

Recognizing Metasequoia glyptostroboides.

There may be a Metasequoia in your neighborhood. Look for these features (and for more details see Discovered Alive: The Story of the Chinese Redwood by William Gittlen. Pierside Publications):

• Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a tall, symmetrical tree with a straight and slim truck, upswept branches. Typical height of the mature tree is 110 feet.
• Metasequoia does not sprout from the root, so the shape of a free-standing tree is clear.
• A deciduous conifer, its leaves turn gingery in autumn and then they fall off, revealing the astonishing straightness of the tall truck.
• Bark: Reddish. Finer and less rough than Sequoia sempervirens.
• Leaf: Needles, 1" long and slim, in a plane, and opposite. Leafy twigs are opposite on branches. Beautiful, almost etherial, pale-green spring foliage.
• Seed: Within cones 1" or slightly longer, almost as wide as long. Cone scales are opposite. Cones hang in groups at the ends of branches; as the cones grow heavier, they pull the branches down.

Where to see Metasequoia glyptostroboides.

• In the wild. Metasequoia is found in very small, protected, and isolated areas China, in Sichuan (Szechuan) and Hubei (Hupeh) provinces.

• In the urban forest. Since its dramatic "discovery" in the mid-twentieth century, the Metasequoia has been widely planted in towns throughout China, North America, and Japan.

• In New York City. Andy Young reports (The New Yorker (May 23, 2005 issue)), in his article "Street Life: Tree Count" on the 2005 citywide census by a thousand volunteers of the half million NYC street trees, that he has seen dawn redwoods in the vacinity of Madison and Park Avenues:

  "A few years ago, the owners of the co-op on the corner asked the Parks Department for 'something special,' then paid for these trees and steel tree guards... 'Imagine, if you will, a feathery, light-leafed dawn redwood, fifty feet tall, shading the building, dropping its whispery leaves,' he [Gunther] said quietly. 'I just think it's a wonderful thing. I like it.'"

• In California. You are more likely to find Metasequoia in the west of the state. Use the guidelines above for recognition. Or contact your local arboretum or Department of Parks and Recreation. They will be able to tell you where you can see the Metasequoia in your area.

How to Grow.

See How to Grow a Dawn Redwood, where Scott Peden suggests an approach to growing your own Dawn Redwood tree from seeds.

For More Information.

Resources - Book.

• Book Review of Discovered Alive: The Story of the Chinese Redwood by William Gittlen (Pierside Pubications). Sadly Amazon no longer stocks this interesting book. Request it from your local library. ISBN is 0966921747.
• Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History by Michael G. Barbour (Editor), et al. Refers to dawn redwoods as well as coast redwoods.

Resources - Related pages.

• Home and Index of Articles.
• Dawn Redwood - Time Chart - longevity, history, pre-history.
• Dawn Redwood - How to Grow.
• Pine Trees - Your 60-Second Guide to Naming your Pine.
• Got Conifer -- How You Can Tell What Kind of Conifer You Have.
• The Families of Trees in the Sierra Nevada.
• The Pine Family of Trees in the Sierra Nevada.

Glossary pages: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

[Thanks for visiting.]

Copyright © 2001-2006 by Joan Zimmerman.