Description
Metasequoia – Dawn Redwood –
There is a single species of a deciduous, monoecious, coniferous tree in this genus. They occur in valley forests of Central China. It has 2 ranked, linear leaves that turn gold to red brown in autumn. The shoots, leaves, and cone scales grow in opposite pairs. Tolerant of waterlogged soils, it makes a fine specimen or street tree.
Grow in deep fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Intial growth is fast, but on dry sites is slower after plants reach 30′ feet tall. Shelter from strong winds and is resistant to atmospheric pollution
M. glyptostroboides ‘Gold Rush’ – This quick growing, conical tree grows 45′ feet tall and 25′ feet wide although smaller in cultivation. It has ascending branches and fibrous, orange-brown bark, and often deeply fluted, “buttresses” trunks. Soft, spreading leaves are bright golden yellow, to ½” long on mature trees, 3/4″ or more on seedlings, with 2 light bands beneath. Deciduous shoots are green, without growth buds, permanent shoots, bearing growth buds, are pink brown, later brown. Produces ovoid, light brown female cones, 3/4″ long, on stalks to 1 ½” long, and pendent, spherical brown male cones, ½” long, with 15-20 scales, in the upper crown.
Zones 5-10
