Dawn Redwood identification

The Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a conifer that was only re-discovered in central China in 1941. It was known from the fossil record but was thought to be extinct. It is one of the World’s most endangered trees. It was introduced to Britain in 1948 and has since been planted in many parks and gardens in warmer regions. It grows best next to water. It is one of the few deciduous conifers. Dawn Redwood identification is by its opposite, deciduous leaves, small cones and red stringy bark. It is most likely to be confused with the Swamp Cypress but the shoots and leaves are ‘opposite’ not ‘alternate’. Also its cones are quite different.

The Dawn Redwood, the Coast Redwood and the Giant Sequoia (sometimes called the Sierra Redwood) are all related. They are relics from a period 100 million years ago when they were widespread. They now have very restricted natural distributions – the Dawn Redwood to central China and the other two to California.