Does it need a lot of water?

Yes, it thrives in moist, well-draining soil and does not tolerate drought.

Will it lose its needles in winter?

Yes, the needles turn a lovely bronze color before dropping each autumn.

Plant guide

Dawn redwood.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Pronounced met-uh-skwo-EE-uh glip-toh-stro-BOY-deez

Also known as Chinese redwood, Dawn Redwood, dawn-redwood, deciduous redwood

The dawn redwood is a stunning deciduous conifer that was once thought to be extinct. It features a beautiful pyramidal shape and soft, feathery needles that turn a rich bronze in the fall. It is a fast grower that loves plenty of space to spread out.

Another photo of Dawn redwood — Photo by 謝麗霦 (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 100 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Early spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist as this tree naturally thrives in wet areas. Watch for yellowing needles which often indicate the soil is drying out too much. Provide plenty of room for its large root system to expand.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist at all times, especially during the first few years of growth.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before new growth appears.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches during the dormant winter season.
Repotting: Repot young trees every few years if they are being kept in containers.
Soil: Moist, well draining, acidic soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.5
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Long-lived, often exceeding 100 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot.
Stunted growth despite regular watering.
Soil drying out too quickly.

Safety

People: There are no known toxic parts to this tree.
Children: The small cones are a potential choking hazard for very young children.
Contact allergens: The needles can be slightly sharp but do not cause skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The foliage and cones are not considered edible for humans.

How to identify it

Deciduous conifer with soft needles
Pyramidal growth habit
Reddish brown fibrous bark
Bright green foliage in summer
Bronze fall color

Height: 15 to 35m
Spread: 6 to 12m
Leaves: bright green, bronze, orange, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Japanese BeetlesCommon
CankerUncommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: Spring, Autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed as it is fully hardy, but ensure the soil remains moist if the winter is dry.
In containers: It is generally too large for long-term container growth, though young saplings can be kept in large pots for a few years.

Softwood Cuttings

Take 15cm cuttings in early summer.
Remove lower needles.
Dip in rooting hormone.
Place in moist perlite.
Keep in a humid environment until rooted.

Plant moisture-loving groundcovers beneath to keep the soil cool and damp.

Grows well with

Ferns · They enjoy the same moist, shaded conditions provided by the canopy.
Hostas · These shade-loving perennials thrive under the tree's light shade.

Similar species

Bald Cypress · It shares the deciduous conifer habit and preference for wet soil.
Coast Redwood · It is a close relative but remains evergreen.

Science

Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Metasequoia
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida
Native range: Central China
Conservation: It is listed as endangered in the wild due to habitat loss.

It naturally inhabits moist valley bottoms and stream banks where it can access consistent water.

Value to wildlife: provides nesting cover, seeds for birds
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental specimen, wetland restoration, timber

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: Yes, it thrives in moist, well-draining soil and does not tolerate drought.
Will it lose its needles in winter?: Yes, the needles turn a lovely bronze color before dropping each autumn.

Where the name comes from

The genus name refers to its similarity to Sequoia, while the species name means resembling Glyptostrobus.

Good to know

It is often called the dawn redwood.
The tree is a deciduous conifer, meaning it loses its needles in winter.
It grows very quickly when provided with ample water.
The bark develops a beautiful, fibrous texture as the tree ages.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.