Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
 
The dawn redwood is a fast-growing, deciduous conifer once thought extinct and known only from fossils—until it was rediscovered alive in China in the 1940s. A true “living fossil,” this ancient tree can grow over 100 feet tall, with a straight, tapering trunk and a narrow, pyramidal crown. Its feathery, soft green needles are arranged in opposite pairs and turn a rich russet or coppery bronze in autumn before falling—a rare trait among conifers. The bark is reddish-brown and fibrous, often peeling in long strips. Small, rounded cones dangle from the branches like ornaments. Adaptable and tolerant of wet soils, the dawn redwood thrives in parks, gardens, and along waterways, where its elegant form and fast growth make it a striking specimen. A symbol of resilience and ancient continuity, the dawn redwood bridges deep time with the living world.