3 Dawn Redwood Trees – Metasequoia glyptostroboides Bare Root Landscape Trees 10-18″ Tall

Overview

Welcome a living fossil into your garden with our dawn redwood tree bare root starter plants. The dawn redwood tree (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is an extraordinary deciduous conifer, once believed to be extinct and known only through fossil records until its rediscovery in China in the 1940s. This remarkable tree offers a unique blend of ancient history and modern landscape appeal. Renowned for its rapid growth and distinctive, feathery foliage, the dawn redwood tree transforms from a vibrant green in spring and summer to a breathtaking orange-brown in the fall, before gracefully shedding its needles for the winter. These bare root trees are an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a majestic and conversation-starting specimen to their outdoor space. You will receive three healthy, ready-to-plant specimens, each measuring 10-18 inches tall, providing a fantastic opportunity to establish these magnificent landscape trees in your garden.

Our metasequoia glyptostroboides plants are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in optimal condition, ready for planting. These young trees are perfect for various landscaping projects, from creating a grand avenue to establishing a naturalized area. Their unique characteristics and rich history make them a truly special addition to any plant collection. Experience the joy of watching these fast growing trees mature into magnificent specimens, offering shade, beauty, and a touch of botanical wonder for generations.

Key Benefits

The dawn redwood tree offers a multitude of benefits for any landscape, combining aesthetic appeal with ecological value. Its distinctive features make it a standout choice for gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike.

• Stunning Seasonal Color: Enjoy vibrant green foliage throughout spring and summer, transitioning to a spectacular orange-brown in autumn, providing dramatic seasonal interest. The unique fall coloration of the dawn redwood tree is a major highlight.
• Rapid Growth Rate: These are truly fast growing trees, quickly establishing themselves and adding significant vertical interest to your landscape within just a few years. This makes them ideal for quickly creating shade or privacy.
• Historical Significance: Plant a living fossil in your garden! The Metasequoia glyptostroboides was thought to be extinct, adding an intriguing narrative to your planting efforts. Owning a metasequoia glyptostroboides connects you to ancient botanical history.
• Unique Deciduous Conifer: Unlike most conifers, the dawn redwood sheds its needles in winter, offering a distinct appearance and making it a fascinating specimen. This characteristic sets it apart from typical evergreen conifers.
• Adaptable and Resilient: Once established, the dawn redwood tree is known for its hardiness and ability to tolerate various soil conditions, making it a relatively low-maintenance choice for many regions.
• Excellent Landscape Specimen: Perfect for creating focal points, screens, or naturalized areas, these landscape trees develop a beautiful pyramidal shape as they mature. They are an impressive addition to any large garden or park.
• Bare Root Advantage: Shipping as bare root trees means they are often more affordable and easier to plant, establishing quickly with proper care.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your dawn redwood tree is straightforward, especially when starting with healthy bare root specimens. These fast growing trees thrive with the right conditions and a little attention. For optimal growth, choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While they can tolerate some shade, more sun generally leads to faster growth and more vibrant fall color. Ensure the soil is well-draining but consistently moist. The metasequoia glyptostroboides naturally prefers moist conditions and can even tolerate wet feet, making it suitable for areas near ponds or streams, but it will also perform well in average garden soil provided it doesn’t dry out completely.

When planting your bare root trees, dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots without bending them, and deep enough so the root collar is level with the ground. Backfill with native soil, gently tamping to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly. Consistent watering is crucial during the first year of establishment, especially during dry spells. Once mature, dawn redwood trees are quite drought-tolerant but will benefit from supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods. These landscape trees are hardy in USDA Zones 4-8. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs. Pruning is generally not necessary beyond removing any dead or damaged branches, as the tree naturally develops an attractive form. Watch for common pests like spider mites in very dry conditions, though they are generally quite resistant to most diseases.

Size & Details

This offering includes three (3) healthy dawn redwood tree bare root specimens, each meticulously prepared for planting. The trees typically measure between 10 to 18 inches tall upon arrival, providing a robust start for your landscaping project. As fast growing trees, you can expect significant height increases each year under ideal growing conditions. In their native habitat and favorable climates, metasequoia glyptostroboides can reach impressive heights of 70 to 100 feet or more, with a spread of 20 to 25 feet, developing a classic pyramidal shape. These young bare root trees are designed to establish quickly, allowing their root systems to adapt directly to your garden soil without the transition shock of potted plants.

The bare root format ensures that the tree’s energy is focused on root development once planted, leading to strong, healthy growth. While they are deciduous and will arrive without leaves, their robust root systems are ready to awaken with the warmth of spring. The stunning fall color of these landscape trees will become a highlight of your autumn garden. Expect these trees to begin actively growing and showing new foliage within a few weeks of proper planting, typically reaching a significant size within 5-10 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this dawn redwood tree get? A: A: The dawn redwood tree is a fast growing tree and can eventually reach impressive heights of 70 to 100 feet or more with a spread of 20-25 feet, depending on growing conditions and climate. It develops a stately pyramidal form.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The dawn redwood tree (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is an outdoor tree. It requires ample space to grow and is not suitable for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does the metasequoia glyptostroboides need? A: These landscape trees thrive in full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best growth and fall color.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Yes, once established, the dawn redwood tree is relatively low-maintenance. It’s a good choice for beginners looking for a unique and hardy tree, especially when starting with bare root trees.
• Q: What condition will the bare root trees arrive in? A: Your bare root trees will arrive dormant, without leaves, but with a healthy, moist root system, carefully packaged to ensure their vitality during transit.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these fast growing trees? A: The best time to plant bare root dawn redwood trees is in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, or in late fall after the leaves have dropped and before the ground freezes.
• Q: Will the dawn redwood tree survive winter in my zone? A: The dawn redwood tree is quite cold hardy and is suitable for planting in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.
• Q: How long until these landscape trees show new growth? A: After planting in early spring, you can typically expect to see new foliage emerge within a few weeks, once the temperatures warm consistently and the tree breaks dormancy.
• Q: What type of soil does the metasequoia glyptostroboides prefer? A: While adaptable, the metasequoia glyptostroboides prefers moist, well-draining soil. It can tolerate wetter conditions than many other trees, but standing water should be avoided for prolonged periods.
• Q: Do these bare root trees come with planting instructions? A: While specific instructions are not included in this description, general bare root planting guidelines should be followed for successful establishment.