Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly known as Dawn Redwood, is a magnificent deciduous conifer admired for its elegant pyramidal form, delicate feathery foliage and exceptional autumn colour.
Originally discovered as a living species in China during the 1940s, Dawn Redwood is often described as a living fossil because it belongs to an ancient group of trees previously known principally from fossil records.
Today, it is highly valued as an ornamental specimen tree for large gardens, estates, parkland and substantial landscape planting schemes.
Unlike most conifers, Metasequoia glyptostroboides is deciduous. Its soft, bright green foliage emerges during spring, creating an attractive, finely textured canopy throughout summer.
During autumn, the foliage transforms into beautiful shades of copper, bronze, orange and reddish-brown before falling, revealing the tree's distinctive branching structure and attractive bark.
As the tree matures, it develops a substantial trunk with deeply fissured reddish-brown bark and an impressive, broadly conical crown.
Dawn Redwood is particularly effective as a standalone specimen where its natural shape can be appreciated, although it can also create a dramatic feature when planted in avenues or groups within larger landscapes.
Key Features of Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Magnificent deciduous conifer
Elegant upright pyramidal crown
Fast-growing under suitable conditions
Soft, feathery bright green foliage
Spectacular copper and bronze autumn colour
Attractive reddish-brown fissured bark
Excellent architectural specimen tree
Particularly suited to large gardens and parkland
Thrives in moist, fertile soils
Tolerates periodically wet ground
Provides attractive seasonal interest
Hardy and suitable for the British climate
Long-lived tree with substantial landscape presence
Particularly effective near lakes and large water features where conditions are suitable
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Plant Specification
Botanical name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Common name: Dawn Redwood
Family: Cupressaceae
Tree type: Deciduous conifer
Mature height: Approximately 20–30m in favourable UK conditions, potentially taller with age.
Mature spread: Approximately 8–12m or more, depending on age and growing conditions.
Growth rate: Fast.
Crown shape: Upright pyramidal to broadly conical, becoming increasingly substantial with maturity.
Foliage: Soft, feathery, bright green deciduous needles arranged along delicate branchlets.
Autumn colour: Copper, bronze, orange and reddish-brown.
Flowers: Inconspicuous reproductive structures rather than ornamental flowers.
Fruit: Small, rounded to oval woody cones.
Bark: Reddish-brown, becoming deeply fissured and increasingly distinctive with age.
Position: Full sun.
Soil: Prefers fertile loam or clay soils with a reliable moisture supply. Can tolerate suitable sandy soils where sufficient moisture is available.
Soil moisture: Prefers moist ground and tolerates periodically wet conditions. Particularly suitable for moisture-retentive soils.
Exposure: Best in sheltered or moderately exposed positions, although established specimens can tolerate a range of conditions.
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK.
Native status: Non-UK native.
Wildlife value: Provides shelter, habitat and potential nesting opportunities for birds and other wildlife.
Maintenance: Generally low maintenance once established. Formative pruning may be undertaken when young, but mature trees should normally be allowed to retain their natural shape.
Root system: Develops an extensive root system with maturity. Allow sufficient space from buildings, underground services and hard landscaping.
Suitable uses: Large gardens, estates, parkland, specimen planting, architectural landscapes, avenues, lakeside planting and substantial landscape schemes.
Why Choose Dawn Redwood?
A Magnificent Architectural Specimen Tree
Dawn Redwood is one of the most impressive deciduous conifers available for large-scale garden and landscape planting.
Its naturally symmetrical, pyramidal form creates a strong architectural feature, particularly when planted as a standalone specimen within a lawn or open landscape.
As the tree matures, its substantial trunk and elegant branching structure become increasingly impressive.
It is particularly suitable for properties where a large, long-lived specimen tree can be allowed to develop naturally.
Beautiful Soft Green Summer Foliage
During spring, Dawn Redwood produces delicate, fresh green foliage that creates a soft and attractive appearance.
The feathery needles provide a fine texture that contrasts beautifully with broadleaf trees and more substantial evergreen planting.
Throughout summer, the foliage develops into a rich green canopy, providing seasonal shade and visual interest.
Spectacular Autumn Colour
One of the most distinctive features of Metasequoia glyptostroboides is its autumn transformation.
The green foliage gradually turns copper, bronze, orange and reddish-brown before falling.
This creates a particularly attractive display, especially when the tree is positioned where its full crown can be viewed against lawns, evergreen planting or open countryside.
Attractive Bark and Winter Structure
After the foliage has fallen, Dawn Redwood continues to provide architectural interest.
Its reddish-brown bark develops a deeply fissured texture with age, while the upright branching structure creates an elegant winter silhouette.
Older specimens can develop a substantial, buttressed trunk, adding further character and visual impact.
An Excellent Tree for Moist Ground
Dawn Redwood is particularly well suited to gardens and landscapes with moisture-retentive soil.
It performs well in fertile ground with a reliable moisture supply and can tolerate periods of wet soil conditions.
This makes it useful for larger gardens with naturally moist ground, including appropriate planting areas near ponds, lakes and water features.
Although tolerant of wet conditions, planting suitability should still be assessed where ground remains permanently waterlogged or where drainage is exceptionally poor.
A Tree for Large Gardens and Estates
Because of its eventual height and substantial crown, Dawn Redwood is best suited to large gardens, estates and parkland.
It requires generous space for both its canopy and root system.
It is not generally appropriate for small domestic gardens or confined planting areas.
When given sufficient room, however, it can become a magnificent landscape feature for generations.
Planting and Establishment
Metasequoia glyptostroboides performs best in a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive soil.
The planting area should be prepared carefully, ensuring that the root flare remains at the correct finished soil level.
Newly planted specimens require consistent watering during establishment, particularly during dry periods.
Appropriate staking or underground anchoring may be necessary depending on the size of the tree and site conditions.
A suitable mulch layer can help retain soil moisture and reduce competition from surrounding vegetation.
Allow sufficient space for the mature crown and root system, particularly when planting near buildings, underground services, drainage infrastructure and hard landscaping.
For larger nursery specimens, professional planting is strongly recommended.
Specimen Tree Delivery and Professional Planting
Landscaping Emporium, brought to you by Kirman Design, offers professional specimen tree supply and planting throughout selected areas of North West England.
We provide professional tree planting in the following postcode areas:
BB, BL, CH1–CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1–LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1–SK12, WA and WN.
Please do not select professional planting at checkout if your property is outside these postcode areas without contacting us first.
If your property is outside our normal installation area, please contact us. We may still be able to arrange planting depending on your location, tree size and site access.
Before ordering, please consider delivery access, gate and passage widths, steps, slopes, overhead restrictions and the available planting space.
Dawn Redwood trees may be supplied in different nursery sizes and root formats depending on current stock and seasonal availability.
Overall height, trunk girth, crown dimensions and natural branching structure will vary between individual specimens.
Contact Landscaping Emporium
Landscaping Emporium – brought to you by Kirman Design
Unit 9, Bridgewater Business Park
Gladstone Street
Blackburn
BB1 3DL
Telephone: 01942 604976
Email: hello@landscapingemporium.co.uk
Website: www.landscapingemporium.co.uk
Professional tree supply and planting across North West England.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly known as Dawn Redwood, is a magnificent deciduous conifer admired for its elegant pyramidal form, delicate feathery foliage and exceptional autumn colour.
Originally discovered as a living species in China during the 1940s, Dawn Redwood is often described as a living fossil because it belongs to an ancient group of trees previously known principally from fossil records.
Today, it is highly valued as an ornamental specimen tree for large gardens, estates, parkland and substantial landscape planting schemes.
Unlike most conifers, Metasequoia glyptostroboides is deciduous. Its soft, bright green foliage emerges during spring, creating an attractive, finely textured canopy throughout summer.
During autumn, the foliage transforms into beautiful shades of copper, bronze, orange and reddish-brown before falling, revealing the tree's distinctive branching structure and attractive bark.
As the tree matures, it develops a substantial trunk with deeply fissured reddish-brown bark and an impressive, broadly conical crown.
Dawn Redwood is particularly effective as a standalone specimen where its natural shape can be appreciated, although it can also create a dramatic feature when planted in avenues or groups within larger landscapes.
Key Features of Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Magnificent deciduous conifer
Elegant upright pyramidal crown
Fast-growing under suitable conditions
Soft, feathery bright green foliage
Spectacular copper and bronze autumn colour
Attractive reddish-brown fissured bark
Excellent architectural specimen tree
Particularly suited to large gardens and parkland
Thrives in moist, fertile soils
Tolerates periodically wet ground
Provides attractive seasonal interest
Hardy and suitable for the British climate
Long-lived tree with substantial landscape presence
Particularly effective near lakes and large water features where conditions are suitable
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Plant Specification
Botanical name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Common name: Dawn Redwood
Family: Cupressaceae
Tree type: Deciduous conifer
Mature height: Approximately 20–30m in favourable UK conditions, potentially taller with age.
Mature spread: Approximately 8–12m or more, depending on age and growing conditions.
Growth rate: Fast.
Crown shape: Upright pyramidal to broadly conical, becoming increasingly substantial with maturity.
Foliage: Soft, feathery, bright green deciduous needles arranged along delicate branchlets.
Autumn colour: Copper, bronze, orange and reddish-brown.
Flowers: Inconspicuous reproductive structures rather than ornamental flowers.
Fruit: Small, rounded to oval woody cones.
Bark: Reddish-brown, becoming deeply fissured and increasingly distinctive with age.
Position: Full sun.
Soil: Prefers fertile loam or clay soils with a reliable moisture supply. Can tolerate suitable sandy soils where sufficient moisture is available.
Soil moisture: Prefers moist ground and tolerates periodically wet conditions. Particularly suitable for moisture-retentive soils.
Exposure: Best in sheltered or moderately exposed positions, although established specimens can tolerate a range of conditions.
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK.
Native status: Non-UK native.
Wildlife value: Provides shelter, habitat and potential nesting opportunities for birds and other wildlife.
Maintenance: Generally low maintenance once established. Formative pruning may be undertaken when young, but mature trees should normally be allowed to retain their natural shape.
Root system: Develops an extensive root system with maturity. Allow sufficient space from buildings, underground services and hard landscaping.
Suitable uses: Large gardens, estates, parkland, specimen planting, architectural landscapes, avenues, lakeside planting and substantial landscape schemes.
Why Choose Dawn Redwood?
A Magnificent Architectural Specimen Tree
Dawn Redwood is one of the most impressive deciduous conifers available for large-scale garden and landscape planting.
Its naturally symmetrical, pyramidal form creates a strong architectural feature, particularly when planted as a standalone specimen within a lawn or open landscape.
As the tree matures, its substantial trunk and elegant branching structure become increasingly impressive.
It is particularly suitable for properties where a large, long-lived specimen tree can be allowed to develop naturally.
Beautiful Soft Green Summer Foliage
During spring, Dawn Redwood produces delicate, fresh green foliage that creates a soft and attractive appearance.
The feathery needles provide a fine texture that contrasts beautifully with broadleaf trees and more substantial evergreen planting.
Throughout summer, the foliage develops into a rich green canopy, providing seasonal shade and visual interest.
Spectacular Autumn Colour
One of the most distinctive features of Metasequoia glyptostroboides is its autumn transformation.
The green foliage gradually turns copper, bronze, orange and reddish-brown before falling.
This creates a particularly attractive display, especially when the tree is positioned where its full crown can be viewed against lawns, evergreen planting or open countryside.
Attractive Bark and Winter Structure
After the foliage has fallen, Dawn Redwood continues to provide architectural interest.
Its reddish-brown bark develops a deeply fissured texture with age, while the upright branching structure creates an elegant winter silhouette.
Older specimens can develop a substantial, buttressed trunk, adding further character and visual impact.
An Excellent Tree for Moist Ground
Dawn Redwood is particularly well suited to gardens and landscapes with moisture-retentive soil.
It performs well in fertile ground with a reliable moisture supply and can tolerate periods of wet soil conditions.
This makes it useful for larger gardens with naturally moist ground, including appropriate planting areas near ponds, lakes and water features.
Although tolerant of wet conditions, planting suitability should still be assessed where ground remains permanently waterlogged or where drainage is exceptionally poor.
A Tree for Large Gardens and Estates
Because of its eventual height and substantial crown, Dawn Redwood is best suited to large gardens, estates and parkland.
It requires generous space for both its canopy and root system.
It is not generally appropriate for small domestic gardens or confined planting areas.
When given sufficient room, however, it can become a magnificent landscape feature for generations.
Planting and Establishment
Metasequoia glyptostroboides performs best in a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive soil.
The planting area should be prepared carefully, ensuring that the root flare remains at the correct finished soil level.
Newly planted specimens require consistent watering during establishment, particularly during dry periods.
Appropriate staking or underground anchoring may be necessary depending on the size of the tree and site conditions.
A suitable mulch layer can help retain soil moisture and reduce competition from surrounding vegetation.
Allow sufficient space for the mature crown and root system, particularly when planting near buildings, underground services, drainage infrastructure and hard landscaping.
For larger nursery specimens, professional planting is strongly recommended.
Specimen Tree Delivery and Professional Planting
Landscaping Emporium, brought to you by Kirman Design, offers professional specimen tree supply and planting throughout selected areas of North West England.
We provide professional tree planting in the following postcode areas:
BB, BL, CH1–CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1–LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1–SK12, WA and WN.
Please do not select professional planting at checkout if your property is outside these postcode areas without contacting us first.
If your property is outside our normal installation area, please contact us. We may still be able to arrange planting depending on your location, tree size and site access.
Before ordering, please consider delivery access, gate and passage widths, steps, slopes, overhead restrictions and the available planting space.
Dawn Redwood trees may be supplied in different nursery sizes and root formats depending on current stock and seasonal availability.
Overall height, trunk girth, crown dimensions and natural branching structure will vary between individual specimens.
Contact Landscaping Emporium
Landscaping Emporium – brought to you by Kirman Design
Unit 9, Bridgewater Business Park
Gladstone Street
Blackburn
BB1 3DL
Telephone: 01942 604976
Email: hello@landscapingemporium.co.uk
Website: www.landscapingemporium.co.uk
Professional tree supply and planting across North West England.
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