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. It has a symmetrical, pyramidal form with soft, feathery, bright green needles that turn a rich orange-brown in fall before shedding. Its bark is reddish-brown and deeply furrowed, giving it a majestic presence.
 
This tree produces small, rounded cones that mature in autumn and provide visual interest even after the needles have dropped. The dawn redwood is unique among conifers for being deciduous, creating striking seasonal transformations in the landscape.
 
Highly adaptable to a variety of soils and tolerant of wet conditions, the dawn redwood is often planted as a specimen tree in parks, along streets, and in large gardens. Its rapid growth, elegant form, and seasonal color make it a standout for dramatic landscape design.