planting dawn redwood seeds Dawn Redwood Tree Seeds | Water Fir | (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

Known only from fossils. Rediscovered in 1944. Extraordinary in every season.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, the Dawn Redwood, is one of the most remarkable trees in modern botanical history. Once believed extinct for millions of years, it was rediscovered alive in rural China in 1944. Today, it stands as a living fossil planted around the world. The only deciduous redwood, it drops its soft, feathery needles each fall after a striking display of copper and bronze, then returns in spring with vibrant green growth. Fast-growing and adaptable, it delivers both story and presence.

• Once thought extinct for 65 million years, rediscovered in 1944
• Unique deciduous redwood with seasonal needle drop and fall color
• Extremely fast-growing for a large specimen tree
• Tolerates wet soils and periodic flooding
• Living relic of ancient forests that once covered the northern hemisphere

Things You Probably Didn’t Know

It once grew near the poles.
Fossils show Dawn Redwoods thrived across the northern hemisphere, including regions near the Arctic Circle during warmer prehistoric climates.

All modern trees trace back to one place.
The global population originates from seeds collected in a single Chinese valley in the late 1940s, making every tree part of the same rediscovered lineage.

It grows at an incredible pace.
Under good conditions, Dawn Redwood can grow 3 to 5 feet per year, reaching impressive height in just a few decades.

Its fall color is unmatched among conifers.
The soft needles shift from green to gold to rich copper before dropping, creating a seasonal display rare for a tree of this type.

Growing Details

• Botanical Name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides
• Stratification: Recommended; 30–60 days cold stratification improves germination
• USDA Zones: 4–8
• Soil: Prefers moist, rich soils; tolerates wet conditions and periodic flooding
• Light: Full sun
• Height: 70–100 feet
• Spread: 15–25 feet
• Growth Rate: Fast (3–5 ft/year)

Plant it and tell everyone where it came from. There is no better conversation on your property.