Dawn Redwood, or Metasequoia question.?
Question:Does anyone have any experience growing this tree? What can you tell me about it?
Answers:
Yes I have, but as a small Bonsai Tree in my collection.. However, I can tell you a little bit about it, in a landscape scenario. It grows well in zones 4 - 8. At maturity, it will be about 40' - 50' tall and a will grow 20' - 30' wide. It is considered one of the fastest growing conifers, and may grow 7' a year under ideal growing conditions. It likes full sun to partial shade. Its somewhat drought tolerant. It can also grow in very soggy soil, so soggy that it would kill most other trees, and it doesn't mind having wet feet. It grows in most any type of soil, all except desert sand. It is also one of the only "deciduous" conifer trees and the fern like needles will drop in the fall when the weather turns cold. Just before the drop, the needles turn to a very nice golden yellow color. Very pleasant to look at. The bark of a young tree has a reddish color and is very attractive and adds a bit of character to its appearance. If you do decide to get one of these trees, make sure you plant it "well" away from any foundations and away from the house, it gets rather large when mature...Hope I have been helpful with my info and it has answered some of your questions.. Good Luck!
**Billy Ray**
Hard to add to Billy Ray's great answer, but here goes:
The Dawn Redwood is an ancient tree species; the genetics of such an old cultivar makes it pretty much immune to disease, pollution, insects, drought, floods, etc. Not only that, its an attractive tree and a great conversation piece.
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