Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

The Dawn Redwood tree (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) 
is an unusual creature in the tree world - a deciduous conifer. 

That means it is cone-bearing and looks like an evergreen (its leaves are needles), but it turns color in fall and drops its needles (like a maple tree). There are only a handful of deciduous conifers in the whole world. This tree was once thought to be extinct, only being identified by fossil records. In 1944, it was officially discovered in China. But it was not spread to the rest of the world until after World War II.

My first encounter with this tree was at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA in 2009. I walked quickly with my then three-year-old Grace through their arboretum section, but was stopped in my tracks by this tree. This is one of the two large specimens that grow at Longwood.

View of its needles.

Just recently, I discovered that there are two younger trees planted outside of Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA. During our long saunter around the outside gardens, my husband and I found these unmistakable trees at the end of their prairie-style planting in the front yard.

At Phipps Conservatory

I am pleased to have found these specimens closer to home so that I may observe them in the fall also.

Oh, to be a child again and climb up into these branches!

Dawn Redwood beside the entrance to Phipps, with a larger Grace running up to it.

Their mature size is estimated to be 130-150 feet tall and 6 feet trunk diameter. They may grow even larger than those estimates.

I would love to have the room for this amazing tree someday. But, I think it might look rather out of proportion for our corner lot right now... just maybe.