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Common Name: Dawn Redwood

General Information

Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 15.00 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge, and is also used as a soil stabilizer

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

Ravines and banks of streams in Hupeh and Szechwan[]. Riparian habitats on valley floors and in moist ravine bottoms, on acidic, montane yellow-earth soils in regions with moderate climate[].

Properties

Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils and situations[], even in shallow standing water[]. It is slow growing in dry soils or shallow chalk but grows rapidly in moist or wet soils[, , ]. Succeeds in most pH's down to 3.5[]. Requires a sunny position but likes as much side shelter as possible[].
A very hardy plant when dormant, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[]. The fresh spring growth, however, is subject to damage by late frosts[, ]. It grows best in south-eastern England and poorly in Scotland where it suffers from the lack of summer warmth[, ]. Growth can be very rapid when young with annual increases of 1 metre common. However, unless the tree is in a sheltered position and a moist soil the growth rate reduces dramatically once it is 6 metres tall[]. New growth takes place from May to August[].
This plant was only known from fossil records until it was discovered growing wild in China in 1941.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[].
Plants have an extensive root system and so they are used to stabilize river banks and paddy field walls[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame. Very easy[].