The Dawn Redwood is one of the most remarkable trees you can grow in a British garden, combining prehistoric heritage with stunning seasonal beauty. This deciduous conifer, once thought extinct until its discovery in China in the 1940s, brings a touch of ancient history to modern gardens whilst offering year-round interest through its elegant form and ever-changing foliage.
During spring, the Dawn Redwood emerges with fresh, feathery foliage in the most delicate shade of bright green. The soft, needle-like leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the branches, creating a fine-textured appearance that catches the light beautifully. As summer progresses, the foliage deepens to a rich green, providing a cooling presence in the garden and creating wonderful dappled shade beneath its spreading canopy.
Autumn is when this magnificent tree truly steals the show. The green foliage transforms into a spectacular display of warm tones, ranging from golden amber through burnt orange to rich russet brown and copper. This autumnal performance rivals any Japanese maple, yet the Dawn Redwood offers it on a much grander scale. Before the leaves drop in winter, they create a carpet of colour beneath the tree that gardeners treasure.
The winter silhouette of Metasequoia glyptostroboides reveals another layer of beauty. The strongly buttressed trunk develops attractive, fibrous, reddish-brown bark that peels in vertical strips, adding textural interest throughout the dormant season. The tree’s pyramidal form and upward-sweeping branches create an elegant architectural presence that stands out beautifully against winter skies, particularly when touched by frost or snow.
Despite its impressive ultimate size, the Dawn Redwood is surprisingly adaptable and relatively fast-growing, making it an excellent choice for creating impact within a reasonable timeframe. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and is particularly happy in locations that remain slightly damp, even tolerating periodic waterlogging better than many trees. This makes it ideal for planting near ponds, streams, or in those tricky low-lying areas where drainage is less than perfect.
Plant your Dawn Redwood in full sun to partial shade, though it performs best with plenty of sunlight. Choose a position with deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Whilst it tolerates various soil types, it absolutely thrives in consistently moist conditions. Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system, and continue watering during dry spells, particularly for younger specimens.
Apply a generous layer of organic mulch around the base each spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it clear of the trunk itself. Feed annually in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. The Dawn Redwood requires minimal pruning; simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter whilst the tree is dormant.
This tree is remarkably hardy and well-suited to British conditions, tolerating temperatures well below freezing once established. It’s largely pest and disease-free, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking maximum impact with minimal intervention.
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Dawn Redwoods are deciduous. In Autumn the needles will be turning golden brown and fall off easily. In Winter they will have no needles at all.
There are no reviews yet.