Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Dawn redwood

Also called dawn redwood, a fast growing, deciduous and now endangered conifer, thought to be extinct until the mid 20th century. Dawn redwood is considered to be a "living fossil", as remnant populations were found in Central China in the 1940's that are identical to fossils from over 150 million years ago in the late Cretaceous period. In the wild today it can be found mainly in the Hunan and Hubei provinces of China. It can reach 50m and is considered to be the shortest of the redwoods.

Dawn redwood is cold hardy to the -15 to-20 degree Fahrenheit range (zone 5) and is very tolerant of soggy and waterlogged soils. In drier climates and drier soils, site near a pond or other body of water. It is not tolerant of salt, so also site carefully in coastal areas or areas where salt is used on roadways in the winter. It is a good choice for urban areas because of its fast growth rate and tolerance for air pollution.

Growth rate, habit: vigorous, upright, conical shaped

Mature size: 70 to 100ft tall or more

Soil/water: medium to wet

Cold hardiness temperature: -15 to -20 F (zone 5)

Light: full sun

Blooms: non-flowering

Features: tolerant of waterlogged soils and air pollution, cold hardy, fast growing

Special considerations: not tolerant of salt