Metasequoia glyptostroboides seeds - Dawn redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly known as the Dawn Redwood, or Water Fir, is a tree of great stature, whose regular conical to pyramidal habit gives it an architectural, characteristic silhouette. It is distinguished by a rarity among conifers: deciduous foliage, like the Larch of our mountains or the exotic Swamp Cypress. Its rapid growth makes it a prime specimen for large spaces, where it quickly becomes spectacular. Its fine, flat needles, delicately cut and pleasant to the touch, appear in spring in a luminous light green. In autumn, the tree is transformed with a warm palette ranging from brown to russet, mingled with coppery highlights. A species that has become rare in its native range, it proves highly adaptable in temperate climates. Its rapid growth justifies propagation by sowing, still allowing you to obtain a fine-sized tree without waiting a lifetime!

A close relative of Sequoiadendron, the Californian giant, Metasequoia belongs to the Cupressaceae family (or Taxodiaceae depending on the classification). The tree was named by a Japanese botanist following its discovery in fossil form in 1941, from the Greek words "meta" meaning near (to the Sequoia), and glyptostroboides: resembling Glyptostrobus pensilis, a Chinese species. In 1946, Chinese botanists discovered significant natural stands in the Shui Hsa Pa valley, Shui Hsa meaning Water Fir, the usual local name for this tree. It represents the last survivor of an extremely ancient genus, whose origins date back to the Cretaceous period, an era marked by profound climatic and biological upheavals. In its natural habitat, this tree can reach approximately 30 to 40 metres in height with a spread of nearly 10 metres, adopting an upright, sometimes almost columnar silhouette. It reaches its full potential in moist, non-calcareous soils and appreciates temperate climates as well as wet, even marshy, ground.
Bearing a powerful trunk reaching 2 metres in diameter, covered with deeply fissured reddish-brown bark, this conifer is remarkably ornamental. Its sustained growth allows it to gain between 50cm and 1 metre per year. In its natural habitat, it reaches 20 metres in height in 25 years; in our climates, a 10-year-old specimen can already stand 5 or 6 metres tall. The branches bear long shoots on which shorter, deciduous branchlets develop. The deciduous leaves are arranged in two rows on a single plane: fine, supple and flattened, they measure 8 to 15cm long and a few millimetres wide. Initially light green in spring, they darken slightly in summer before becoming yellow, orange, brown and pale red in autumn before falling. The female flowers measure 6mm long and appear with the foliage. Fruiting only occurs on mature specimens, in the form of small globose, scaly cones borne on a stalk, 1.8 to 2.5cm in diameter.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides needs generous space to express its full potential; it is not a plant for small gardens. In suitable conditions, it becomes an exceptional tree, destined to span generations and become a lasting part of a garden's history. It can be used as a specimen tree as a focal point, or in avenues, particularly along watercourses. Its imposing stature demands deep soil and a well-cleared location, carefully chosen at planting time. Once well established, it requires little care and pairs harmoniously with other large trees with autumn foliage, such as the superb Nyssa sylvatica, which would be best placed towards the front due to its relatively slow growth. Ginkgo biloba, the Maidenhair Tree renowned for its golden yellow autumn foliage, will also be a good companion, creating an exceptional scene. Sowing seed is an economical and viable method of propagation, even if the success rate is at best average, because the plant's speed of development allows you to obtain a fine-sized tree fairly quickly.