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Metasequoia is the state fossil of Oregon.īuy with confidence. Unlike evergreen redwoods today, metasequoia are and were deciduous. It liks to grow in moist shady areas like stream banks and ravines. It is the only living species in the ancient redwood genus Metasequoia, but three fossil species are known. Metasequoia is a large cone shaped tree reaching up to 45 meters high (about 150 feet). Metasequoia glyptostroboides: Dawn Redwood is a fast-growing tree in the Cypress family native to the Sichuan-Hubei region of China. Today it is popular as an ornamental planting in parks and gardens both public and private in many countries around the world. Since its discovery the population of metasequoias have been nurtured.The seeds of the trees in China were sent to Universities and government agencies around the world. It was only recently discovered in 1944 in a remote valley in China where one species of Metasequoia are still found today, Metasequoia glyptostroboides. As a fossil it was first described in 1941. No fossils have been found after the Miocene and they were thought to have gone extinct. There are fossils of these trees as far back as the late Cretaceous Period.
#Metasequoia tree full#
Since then their numbers have steadily gone down. A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, well-drained or poorly drained soils. Metasequoia Covered much of North America from the Paleocene through the Miocene epochs of the Paleogene and into the Neogene Periods. Photographed at Savage Plants in Kingston, Washington.There are 3 species of fossil metasequoia, M. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go negotiate myself some visiting rights for a tree next door. If you have room to grow this conifer, it will be a stunning addition to your landscape. It is, however, important to give it some irrigation during our long summer drought. The bark is interesting on this deciduous tree, with deep fissures, giving it winter interest. In spring, the needles return an almost chartreuse yellow color. It features very soft and feathery fern-like foliage that emerges. From fossil records, it is known to have existed as many as 50,000,000 years ago. It then turns orange-brown in fall, when it sheds its needles. Dawn Redwood Tree - Metasequoia glyptostroboides - 5 Gallon Pot Very easy to grow and super fast growing, the Dawn Redwood is a beautiful tree that has been around since the 'dawn' of the ages. Metasequoia 'Gold Rush' keeps its coloring well into summer. I wonder, is he trying to show me up by planting a living relic in his backyard? So now I can enjoy the view of his tree from my back yard. Thankfully, my young friend, a beginning gardener who lives next door, bought one and planted it. I could plant it, but eventually it would outgrow the space I have available. I went home to try to find room for just one more tree in my garden. I found myself smitten with its fall coloring one day in the nursery. In the Pacific Northwest, the gold foliage will not burn in full sun, unlike other gold foliage that has this tendency. It has not been in cultivation long enough for it to reach its full potential. This is a fast-growing tree, reaching 15-20 feet in ten years, after 20 or more years it will reach 50 feet.
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The name, Metasequoia, comes from the Greek word meta, meaning changed and refers to sequoia, which it is related to. Dutch horticulturalist Peter Zweinburg brought it to Europe and changed the name to 'Gold Rush'. Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush' was found as a seedling in Japan and was named 'Golden Ogi', which means the golden mantle. Michael Dirr once wrote, "This tree provides a case history of perhaps how endangered species should be managed. Now, it is once again growing on this continent. This tree grew on the North American continent over 15 million years ago. Once thought to be extinct, Dawn redwood was discovered in 1944 in China, soon after million year old fossils from Metasequoias were found in Japan.
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