Fall is here and many of the summer time flowering plants are whining down. One tree that has looked beautiful all summer and getting ready for fall color is Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Dawn Redwood.

Dawn Redwood looks like a conifer or evergreen tree but actually is deciduous and looses it's needles. But this beauty gets big. It can reach 70 to 100 feet in height and 25 feet in width. It typically grows to 45 feet in 20 years and is considered a fast grower.

The Dawn Redwood is pyramidal in shape while in youth and can become more broad-rounded with age. It has a very feathery- fine leaf texture. The leaves are bright green in the spring and summer and change to an orange-brown or red-brown in fall.

Dawn Redwoods are easily transplanted and performs best in moist, deep, well-drained, slightly acid soils. does well in full sun. Seldom requires pruning due to its uniformed pyramidal growth shape. At the Ag. Center this tree is planted in a wet site and doing quite well.

No serious insects or diseases attach this plant. Canker and Japanese beetle damage have been reported. This tree may be better suited to parks and golf courses where it has plenty of room to grow but also would make an effective screen along long streets or drives.

There are several cultivars of this tree breed to be superior for habit or texture. 'Emerald Feathers' has bright green foliage. 'National' growth habit is a narrow-pyramidal. 'Nitschke Cream' new growth is variegated turning green with maturity and 'Ogon' sports a golden leaf on new growth.

Come out and see the Wilson Display Garden this fall from dawn until dusk at 1806 S. Goldsboro Street. Gardening questions can be answered on Mondays and Fridays from 1 until 3 PM by calling 237-0113.

Date Created: 12/06/00.