Dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Cupressaceae family, native to Hubei and Sichuan, central China (relict). It grows 15–25 m (49–82 ft) tall and 4–7 m (13–23 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -28 °C (-18 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Dawn redwood in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Dawn redwood at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–7 m (13–23 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -28 °C (-18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Hubei and Sichuan, central China (relict) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Dawn redwood toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
No toxicity is reported for people; pet toxicity is not well documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Dawn redwood
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Dawn redwood in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (9 plants)
- The Butchart Gardens (1 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (1 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (1 plants)
Questions about Dawn redwood
- How far apart should I plant Dawn redwood?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–7 m (13–23 ft).
- Does Dawn redwood need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dawn redwood need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Dawn redwood?
- It tolerates about -28 °C (-18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Dawn redwood flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Dawn redwood poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity is reported for people; pet toxicity is not well documented.
- What grows well with Dawn redwood?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Dawn redwood. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Fast-growing deciduous conifer, up to 1 m a year when young; needs moist, deep soil and shelter from late frost on young shoots.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Creeping juniper Juniperus horizontalis
- Leyland cypress x Cuprocyparis leylandii
- Hinoki cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa
- Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
- Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana
- Northern white cedar (arborvitae) Thuja occidentalis
- Common juniper Juniperus communis
- Coast redwood Sequoia sempervirens