Dawn redwood (Metasequioa glyptostroboides)
Care, watering, light and tips for Dawn redwood on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Dawn redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides, or Dawn Redwood, is a striking deciduous coniferous tree, recognized for its rapid growth and elegant bright green foliage that turns reddish-bronze in autumn. It is ideal for large gardens, parks, and as a specimen tree, providing a distinctive vertical structure and seasonal appeal. It is considered a 'living fossil' due to its ancient botanical history.
Native range
Central China
Care tips
It prefers full sun to partial shade and consistently moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils; it tolerates clay soils but not dry ones. Abundant watering is essential, especially during the first few years and in dry periods, as it is a tree that thrives in humid conditions. A common mistake is planting it in locations with low humidity or dry soil, which can stress the tree and hinder its development. It is cold hardy and adaptable to different soil types, as long as moisture is adequate.
How to save a dying Dawn redwood
- Warning signs
- Brown, massive needle drop (especially if not autumn), dry, brittle branches.
- First aid
- Ensure deep, consistent watering (not waterlogging), especially in summer. Protect from dry winds. Check drainage.
- What kills it
- Prolonged drought or poorly drained soil that suffocates it. It's a wetland tree, needs constant water.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if main branches are still flexible and some green remains. Recovery is slow but possible.