Dawn Redwood | Deciduous Conifer with Autumn Color

Dawn Redwood

15 Gallon

$189.00

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Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostrocoides

A fast-growing, deciduous "living fossil" with feathery foliage and spectacular autumn color.

$189.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Dawn Redwood is a magnificent and iconic "living fossil," a deciduous conifer that was once thought extinct until rediscovered in China in the 1940s. It combines the majestic stature of a giant coastal redwood with the seasonal drama of a deciduous tree. Its soft, feathery, bright green foliage emerges in spring, turns a rich coppery-bronze or russet-red in autumn, and then falls to reveal its striking, buttressed trunk and handsome, reddish-brown, fibrous bark. Fast-growing and adaptable, it is a living piece of natural history, perfect as a grand specimen in parks, large estates, or along waterways.

Majestic "Living Fossil": A rare and ancient deciduous conifer species, offering a direct link to prehistoric forests with its unique combination of cone-bearing habit and seasonal leaf drop.
Spectacular Seasonal Color Change: Features soft, opposite, needle-like leaves that are bright green in spring and summer, transforming into a stunning, fiery coppery-bronze to russet-red in autumn before falling.
Fast-Growing with Beautiful Bark: Grows rapidly into a tall, pyramidal tree with a straight, fluted trunk. The reddish-brown, fibrous bark becomes deeply furrowed and stringy with age, adding significant winter interest.
Thrives in Moist Conditions: Prefers deep, consistently moist, well-drained soils and can even tolerate temporary flooding. It is more adaptable to wet sites than most other large conifers.
Impressive Landscape Specimen: Reaches massive proportions over time (70-100+ ft tall), making it ideal for large-scale landscapes, parks, arboretums, or as a dramatic focal point where it has ample room to develop.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Linear, deep green, leathery leaves densely arranged along horizontal branches.Cones: Small, oval brown cones maturing after flowering in late winter to early spring.Bark: Thick, fibrous, reddish-brown bark with fire-resistant properties.Habit: Evergreen conifer with columnar trunk and pyramidal crown; horizontal branching pattern
Mature Height: 50-100 ft (landscape settings)
Mature Width: 20-30 ft
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Tolerates coastal fog and salt spray.Fire-resistant bark.Adaptable to various soil types.Provides year-round screening.Wildlife habitat value
Landscape Uses: Privacy screens and windbreaks.Large property landscaping.Parks and institutional plantings.Coastal and fog-belt gardens.Erosion control on slopes

Q: Is it related to the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)?
A: Yes, they are botanical relatives within the same family (Cupressaceae). However, they are distinct genera. The most striking difference is that the Dawn Redwood is deciduous, losing all its needles in fall, while the Coast Redwood is evergreen. The Dawn Redwood also has opposite leaves and branches, and its cones are much smaller and on stalks.

Q: How much space does it need?
A: It needs plenty of space. While young, it has a narrow, pyramidal form, but as it matures, its crown broadens significantly. Plant it at least 20-30 feet away from buildings, power lines, and other trees to accommodate its ultimate height (70-100+ ft) and spread (15-25+ ft). It is not suitable for small residential yards.