How to Grow Dawn Redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
One of the fastest-growing hardy trees — expect 30-60cm of growth per year when young. Plant in moist, fertile soil; it tolerates and even thrives in wet conditions near ponds or streams. Full sun produces the best autumn colour and fastest growth. Mulch well at planting and keep watered for the first two years. In smaller gardens, pollarding every 3-5 years keeps it to a manageable size while preserving the beautiful feathery foliage. The copper autumn colour and cinnamon bark make it a year-round feature.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Mulch with compost or well-rotted manure in spring. Young trees benefit from a balanced slow-release fertiliser in the first few years to support rapid establishment.
Watch For
- Honey fungus on older specimens
- Canker on stressed trees
- Deer browsing on young shoots
Companions
Taxodium (Swamp Cypress), Alnus (Alder), Gunnera, Rodgersia
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun for best colour
Full sun produces the fastest growth and best copper autumn colour. Tolerates light shade but growth is slower and autumn display less vivid.
Watering
Moist soil preferred, thrives near water
Prefers moist to wet conditions. Thrives near ponds and streams. Water young trees deeply during dry spells for the first 2-3 years.
Fertilizing
Compost mulch in spring
Mulch generously with compost or well-rotted manure in spring. Young trees benefit from slow-release fertiliser in the first few years.
Pruning
Dormant season, or pollard every 3-5 years
Remove dead or damaged branches during full dormancy. If managing size by pollarding, cut back hard to the main framework every 3-5 years. Responds well to hard pruning.
