Dawn Redwood Growing Zone

| Posted on by



Dawn Redwood

How to Grow Dawn Redwood. Plant this tree in acidic to neutral soil that stays consistently moist—or where a water source for irrigation is near at hand. Dawn redwood will not do well in dry soil, and it needs full sun to grow its best. Choose a location with plenty of empty space surrounding the tree, as this huge specimen will need the space. Scientific Name: Betula pendula. USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-7. Mature Size: Up to 50 feet. Miss Grace Dawn Redwood is recommended for the following landscape applications; Accent; General Garden Use; Planting & Growing. Miss Grace Dawn Redwood will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. Dawn redwoods love moist weather within that zone range. This explains Metasequoia’s phenomenal growth rate in the eastern and southern US. In Sichuan and Hubei, the habitat is actually a Zone 9; much hotter and drier during the summer months than the tree truly favors.

Dawn Redwood Hardiness Zone

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Dawn Redwood foliage

Dawn Redwood Growing Zone

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Dawn Redwood bark

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height: 90 feet

Spread: 25 feet

Sunlight:

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Description:

An ancient and interesting deciduous conifer with a very delicate, ferny appearance, and a very tall, pyramidal habit of growth; shaggy, reddish bark is rather appealing, beautiful apricot brown fall color; the hardiest of the redwood/sequoia family

Ornamental Features

Dawn Redwood has emerald green foliage throughout the season. The ferny bipinnately compound leaves turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant. The peeling indian red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Dawn Redwood is an open deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Dawn Redwood is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Shade
  • Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Dawn Redwood will grow to be about 90 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.

Site Map | Site Map XML

A NetPS Plant Finder tool

General Background:

Known as the “Dinosaur Tree”, the quick growing Dawn Redwood or Metasequoia glyptostrobides, was originally found in Manchuria, China and is one of the most exciting of the redwood family; Having once been feared to have become extinct being known only through fossils, the Dawn Redwood was rediscovered in the forties and was planted in the US in 1948. This particular Redwood is a true Redwood quite like the American Redwood and is an incredible bonsai specimen because they are really relics of bygone times which truly make them living fossils that will delight every bonsai enthusiast with their beauty and majestic stature.

Trees Features:

In its natural Habitat, the Dawn Redwood quickly reaches heights up to 110 feet with a 25 foot spread. The original Dawn Redwood Bonsai trees are hearty conifers that have a lacey type of needled foliage on gracefully upswept branches. The needles are deciduous and quite pretty in the fall when the airy light green spray turns to yellow and then to bronze before shedding from the trees. Redwood Bonsai trees make wonderful sights and this can be attributed to the way in which the Redwood tapers away from its root flare which is broad and heavy. Dawn Redwood Bonsai trees feature trunks with reddish bark that are well grooved and strikingly straight and slim; if the trunk is especially large and heavy it will be well suited as a formal upright.

Temperature:

If your Dawn Redwood Bonsai is to be an outdoor specimen, it will require ample protection from extreme cold and frost during the dormant season. Also, in the hottest part of the summer, it is wise to be vigilant about moisture levels in the air as well as in the soil. This bonsai will do best in conditions that provide ample humidity and moderate warmth.

Lighting:

Though this tree will grow best in full sun outdoors, Redwood Bonsai are well suited for growing outdoors as long as they are given plenty of abundant sunlight and southern exposure and ample humidity which will ensure proper growth for the tree.

How To Grow Dawn Redwood

Watering:

You Dawn Redwood Bonsai will prefer moist, deep, well drained soil. The best way to ensure proper moisture levels is to reach down an inch or two into the soil with a finger. Do not allow this tree to go without ample moisture as it is not drought tolerant.

Fertilizing:

Fertilize this bonsai from late spring to late summer with a well balanced organic fertilizer. Do not feed in the fall.

Pruning / Training:

Using wire to shape this bonsai is possible when the tree is dormant from early winter to early spring. The wires are wrapped around the trunks in a counter clockwise direction and should be of sufficient thickness to hold the branch in place. Once the wires are placed, the tree’s branches and trunk can be gently bent into the desired position. Leave wire in place for 3-6 months, and make sure damage to the bark is prevented. Prune in the summer by trimming back new shoots.

Ideal trained as a formal or informal upright style and works very well for clump, slanting and for bonsai forests.

Insects / Pests:

If kept outdoors, your Dawn Redwood bonsai will benefit from the heartiness that comes from the abundance of fresh air, sunlight, and variety of weather conditions which will increase its ability to prevent pests and disease. That being said, all plants, if stressed can succumb to invaders or illness, and so should be monitored often for signs of weakness. Always attempt to control infestations with harmless materials before bringing in the chemical warfare! A very effective treatment for many types of insects is a solution of 1 tsp. dish soap to 1 quart warm water sprayed over the entire plant until runoff is achieved. Rinse the plant well with tepid water and repeat as needed. Giving your tree a quick rinse in the sink on a weekly basis will remove dust and offer additional humidity which will encourage proper cell growth and health.

Propagation:

The Dawn redwood is a prolific grower, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs when it populated regions in thick redwood forests. To propagate your own, simply take some seed cones and a bunch of the debris found at the base of a redwood; be sure to measure the depth of the duff under the tree, and use that as your duff depth. Take a big black plastic tub (the kind that concrete or mortar gets mixed in) and make holes in the bottom for drainage, then put clay (river clay or clay used in construction would be fine) in the tub. Then put the collected Dawn Redwood duff on top. You can also encourage sprouting through mimicking conditions that occur after a fire, making nutrients more readily accessible as mineral rich soil; to do this, burn the collected duff and then put the ashes on top of the clay. Set about six Dawn Redwood seeds on the duff (whether burned or not). Put your pot outside in an area with strong natural light. After the seeds have opened up, gently use a small branch to stir up the surface mimicking the activity of birds and other small animals in their search for the edible seeds which is vital to create different layers that the seeds are in.

Repotting:

Repot every other year in the springtime providing fresh mineral rich quick draining soil and provide minimal root pruning.

Planting A Dawn Redwood

Additional Comments:

Dawn Redwood Growing Zone

Providing your Dawn Redwood with a humidity tray filled with pebbles or stones will add humidity and will ensure that the roots of your bonsai do not succumb to root rot.

Dawn Redwood Tree

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Bonsai Outlet. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. Happy bonsai gardening.