The bark becomes deeply fissured as the tree matures.
The feathery, fine-textured needles are opposite with lengths of approximately 1/2 inch.
The fruit is a 1-inch female oval cone.
However, the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)does have a role in landscapes.
Given that the dawn redwood has existed for many millions of years, this is a remarkably trouble-free tree.
Dawn redwood will not do well in dry soil, and it needs full sun to grow its best.
Soil
The dawn redwood does not do well if grown in alkaline or dry soils.
The difficulty of changing the pH increases if the soil is quite alkaline.
It can tolerate loamy, waterlogged soil well.
Large trees will absorb this quickly; water whenever the soil becomes dry to the touch.
Fertilizer
This tree generally does not require feeding provided it has been planted with appropriately humusy soil.
In more barren soils, apply an iron-rich fertilizer into the soil around the tree once each year.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
When the tree is young, use a long-handled pruner or pruning saw.
Make the cuts at a 45-degree angle to the trunk or main branch.
Dawn redwoods will grow quickly and require professional trimming when pruning is necessary.
Propagating Dawn Redwood
Dawn redwood can be propagated from hardwood cuttings.
Because the plant is very fast-growing, propagated trees can become contributing landscape specimens within a few years.
If you take cuttings in early spring, you will be able to plant the saplings by fall.
They need good light to germinate.
If the seeds germinate, it will happen in 30 to 40 days.
Let the seedling become strong and grow several inches before planting it in the ground.
The tree might develop canker, especially if it is stressed.
If this happens, remove the affected branches as soon as possible.
Dawn redwood is often confused withcommon bald cypress(Taxodium distichum).
This tree is believed to have existed 65 million years ago.
It was thought to be extinct until botanists discovered living specimens in China during the 1940s.
Today it is considered endangered, so planting one is a great move.
