# Dawn Redwood (*Metasequoia glyptostroboides*) Dawn Redwoods are ancient trees that were thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered. They have soft, feathery leaves and can grow very tall, reaching for the sky. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forest - **Also known as:** Metasequoia, Water Fir ![Dawn Redwood](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Metasequoia_Glyptostroboides2.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metasequoia_Glyptostroboides2.jpg) ## Appearance The Dawn Redwood has soft, feathery, bright green needles that turn fiery orange-bronze in autumn before shedding. Its reddish-brown, often fluted trunk adds to its distinctive prehistoric look, making it easily recognized among conifers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Cupressaceae - **Genus:** Metasequoia ## Interesting facts - All Dawn Redwoods alive today descend from just a few ancient trees! - Its bark feels incredibly soft and spongy to the touch, unlike most trees! - This tree is the only remaining species in its entire ancient family! - Thought extinct for millions of years, it was found alive in China in 1941! ## Special abilities - **Wetland Wonder:** Dawn Redwood can develop a wide, buttressed trunk base that helps it stand firm in wet, even waterlogged, soils. - **Speedy Sprout:** Dawn Redwood has an exceptionally fast growth rate, helping it quickly grow tall to reach sunlight in competitive environments. - **Seasonal Stylist:** Dawn Redwood has soft needles that turn a stunning fiery orange before falling, helping it adapt to cold winter conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-50 m - **Spread:** 7-15 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 100-250 cm - **Lifespan:** 400-600 years - **Fruit Type:** Cone - **Growth Rate:** Fast - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Yellow Stainer Fungus (*Rhizopogon luteolus*) — Helps roots absorb vital nutrients. - **Shelter:** [Downy Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/downy-woodpecker) (*Picoides pubescens*) — Creates cavities for nesting and foraging. - **Depends on:** Monk's Hood Lichen (*Hypogymnia physodes*) — Grows on its bark for support and light. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Coniferous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coniferous): Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy the beauty of these trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dawn Redwood? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Dawn Redwood? 30-50 m ### How wide does Dawn Redwood spread? 7-15 m ### Is Dawn Redwood edible? No ### How big is Dawn Redwood? 100-250 cm ### How long does Dawn Redwood live? 400-600 years ### Where is Dawn Redwood usually found? Forest ### What kind of fruit does Dawn Redwood produce? Cone ## Where to spot - [Downtown Huntington Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-huntington-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Tierpark Hagenbeck Hamburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hagenbeck-hamburg) — Hamburg, DE · Zoo - [Palmengarten Frankfurt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palmengarten-frankfurt) — Hessen, DE · Park - [Arboretum Serach (Esslingen)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arboretum-serach-esslingen) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Park - [Botanischer Garten Kiel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanischer-garten-kiel) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park - [Botanischer Garten Rostock](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanischer-garten-rostock) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park [View all places to see Dawn Redwood](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dawn-redwood) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Dawn Redwood: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dawn-redwood)