Quick answer: Dawn redwood is a fast-growing deciduous conifer for USDA zones 4–8 that reaches 70–100 ft tall but only 15–25 ft wide in full sun. Buy it for a tall, narrow living-fossil tree with feathery needles that turn russet in fall. It likes moist soil and has few pest problems.
Why grow Dawn Redwood
- Offers nesting cover for birds; it has little direct food value for wildlife and is resistant to deer
- Russet to orange-brown before the needles drop fall color
- Fast growing
- Works in a windbreak
Dawn Redwood at a glance
| Botanical name | Metasequoia glyptostroboides |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Deciduous conifer |
| USDA hardiness zones | 4–8 |
| Mature height | 70–100 ft |
| Mature spread | 15–25 ft |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Pollination | No second plant needed |
| Fall color | Russet to orange-brown before the needles drop |
| Ships as | Dormant bare-root plant, 2–3 ft |
| Can't ship to | AK, HI |
Pollination
Male and female cones form on the same tree and are wind-pollinated, so one tree is enough.
Planting and care
- Sun: Plant in full sun.
- Soil: Prefers moist to wet, well-drained soil; water during dry spells because it is not drought-tolerant.
- Pruning: Little pruning is needed; remove dead or damaged branches in late winter and keep a single leader.
- Pests and diseases: No serious pests or diseases; Japanese beetles may feed on foliage and canker diseases occasionally occur.
Step-by-step bare-root planting instructions
What arrives and when
Your Dawn Redwood ships dormant (no leaves) and bare root (no pot or soil) at 2–3 ft. It may look like a bare stick with roots; that is normal for a dormant plant. Spring shipping runs March 15 to July 30 for all zones, timed to your zone. Fall shipping, November 15 to late February, is for Zones 6–10 only. See the dates for your zone.
We can't ship this plant to: AK, HI.
Covered by our 1-year warranty (store credit; terms apply).
Frequently asked questions
Is my dawn redwood dead? It lost all its needles.
Probably not. Dawn redwood is deciduous and drops its needles every fall, then leafs out again in spring.
How fast does dawn redwood grow?
It is a rapid grower in full sun with moist soil, making it one of the fastest conifers for northern yards.
Will dawn redwood grow in wet soil?
Yes. It comes from wet sites in China and does well in moist to wet, well-drained soil, but it does not like drought.
How much room does a dawn redwood need?
Plan for 70–100 ft of height but only about 15–25 ft of width, so it fits narrower spaces than most big trees.
What arrives when I order a dawn redwood?
A dormant bare-root tree, 2–3 ft tall, without needles. Plant it promptly and keep the roots moist.
Plant facts checked October 2026 against: Morton Arboretum, NC State Extension.