Planting a Dawn Redwood lets you bring a piece of history into your yard. This impressive tree, known as a “living fossil,” has soft, feathery needles and a graceful shape that stands out in any garden. Once believed extinct, the Dawn Redwood was found again in the 1940s and is now a favorite for gardeners with enough space.
The Dawn Redwood grows quickly, reaching 70 to 90 feet tall and adding up to three feet each year. Unlike most conifers, it loses its needles in fall, turning a beautiful russet-red before they drop. This guide covers how to plant, grow, and care for your tree so it thrives for years.
All About the Dawn Redwood
| Genus Name | Metasequoia glyptostroboides |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Dawn Redwood Tree |
| Plant Type | Tree |
| Light | Full Sun |
| Height | 70 to 90 feet |
| Width | 20 to 40 feet |
| Foliage Color | Blue/Green, Chartreuse/Gold |
| Season Features | Colorful Fall Foliage |
| Special Features | Attracts Birds, Low Maintenance |
| Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Propagation | Grafting, Seed, Stem Cuttings |
Planting Your Dawn Redwood
Giving your Dawn Redwood a strong start is the key to its long-term health and beauty. Follow these steps for successful planting.
Where to Plant
It’s important to pick the right spot. Dawn Redwoods need full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. This helps them grow strong and healthy.
Because this tree gets quite large, make sure you plant it in an area where it has plenty of room to grow without crowding out other plants. It’s an excellent choice for providing shade over a deck or patio during the spring and summer. Keep in mind that since it’s deciduous, it won’t offer privacy or act as a windbreak during the winter months. The ideal soil is rich, moist, well-drained, and acidic.
How and When to Plant
The best time to plant a Dawn Redwood is in the early fall.
- Dig the Hole: Your planting hole should be at least twice as wide as the tree’s root ball, but have the same depth.
- Position the Tree: Place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with the original soil you removed. Water the tree thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Continue watering your newly planted tree regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, unless rainfall is abundant. You can stop watering once the ground freezes. During its first growing season, be sure to water it during any dry spells. If you’re planting multiple trees, space them at least 25 feet apart.
Dawn Redwood Care Guide
Once established, the Dawn Redwood is relatively easy to care for and adapts well to a range of conditions.
Light and Soil
This tree needs full sun. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. While it can handle different soils, it does best in acidic soil with a pH near 4.5.
Water
Dawn Redwoods need steady moisture to stay healthy. They can handle short dry spells, but long dry periods can slow growth and make needles turn brown and fall early. Water deeply when rain is scarce to keep the soil moist.
Temperature and Humidity
Dawn Redwoods are tough and can survive cold winters in USDA Zone 4. They are sensitive to early fall frosts, which can harm new growth. To help, avoid fertilizing after midsummer. High humidity usually isn’t a problem.
Fertilizer
If your soil is rich, you usually don’t need extra fertilizer. Dawn Redwoods can get iron deficiency, which makes the needles turn yellow. If you think this is happening, test your soil before adding anything. For a natural boost, spread a 2-inch layer of compost under the tree each spring.
Pruning
This tree needs very little pruning. Just remove any dead, broken, or diseased branches when you see them. Don’t prune or trim it to control its size, so pick a spot where it can reach its full height and width.
Common Pests and Problems
The Dawn Redwood is generally a pest- and disease-free tree. However, it can be susceptible to redwood branch canker, a fungal disease. Trees under stress, particularly from heat or drought, are more vulnerable. Maintaining proper watering and care is the best defense.
Popular Dawn Redwood Varieties
There are several types of Dawn Redwood, with different sizes and leaf colors, so more gardeners can enjoy this ancient tree.
- ‘Miss Grace’: A weeping variety with cascading branches and soft green needles. It can be staked to grow into a small tree, reaching about 10 feet tall.
- ‘Ogon’ (Golden Dawn Redwood): This popular cultivar features stunning chartreuse-yellow foliage that turns bronze in the fall. It grows to a mature height of around 100 feet.
- ‘Emerald Feathers’: A dwarf variety perfect for smaller spaces, growing to about 15 feet tall and 7 feet wide in ten years.
- ‘Nitschke Cream’: This cultivar’s new growth emerges as a creamy white color before maturing to green. It reaches about 10 feet tall in a decade.
Add a Living Fossil to Your Landscape
The Dawn Redwood is a striking tree that adds history and beauty to any yard with enough space. Give it lots of sun, acidic soil, and steady moisture, and you’ll have a beautiful tree that offers shade for generations. Its fall color and unique habit make it a great choice as a feature tree.
