Metasequoia 
glyptostroboides 
Chinese DAWN REDWOO 
One of the outstanding botanical discoveries of modern times was the recent 
find, near Chungking, China, of an ancient form of Redwood tree—which has been 
named as a separate genus of the Redwood Family, Metasequoia. Fossil remains 
of this tree have been found in ancient rocks, in Europe, Manchuria, Japan, Alaska, 
Oregon, the Rocky. Mountains and near Chesapeake Bay. Scientists have con- 
cluded that the Dawn Redwood lived from the Age of Dinosaurs to the Ice Age, 
from 20 to 60 million years ago. Its discovery still alive was a real surprise, as it 
had been believed to be long ago extinct. 
The Dawn Redwood differs from Sequoia sempervirens, its probable near rela- 
tive, in several ways. It is deciduous in winter—its branches are ascending instead 
of horizontal or drooping—its female cones are on long, naked stems—its male 
cones are on long spikes resembling our southern Baldcypress—its “needles” 
or leaflets are in opposite pairs instead of the alternate arrangement found in 
Baldcypress and S. sempervirens. In baby Dawn Redwoods, the foliage is profuse, 
light green, delicate and graceful as a fern. The adult tree in clumps grows to 
slender spires like S. sempervirens—in isolated specimens, it grows a full, well- 
rounded shape only slightly columnar. 
Today, there are probably more Dawn Redwoods in the United States than in 
China. Seeds and baby trees have been distributed by Dr. E. D. Merrill of Harvard's 
Arnold Arboretum and by Dr. R. W. Chaney of the University of California. They 
have survived in Sitka, Juneau, Boston, Philadelphia and as far south as Panama. 
No more seeds come from RED China. Our several thousand Dawn Redwoods, 
grown from cuttings, appear identical with seedlings. 
To us, it is fascinating that the “Baldcypress” (Taxodium distichum) of Dixie, is 
almost a “Twin” for the Dawn Redwood, in almost every detail except cone and 
seed. Both once grew over much of Europe, Asia and North America—one survived 
ONLY in China, the other ONLY in Dixie. We have shipped ae to be planted as 
deciduous twins. 
The Redwood Family (Taxodiaceae) 
15 Living Species— (many extinct species) —for a variety of climates 
CRYPTOMERIA — Japanese Cedar. 
plus 7 varieties, evergreen. 
C. japonica—Japan, China, evergreen tree 
to 125 ft., not a true cedar, hardy even in 
New England when sheltered. 
Almost everyone is surprised to learn that °- 1 species 
there are 15 species plus 21 varieties in the 
9 genera of Taxodiaceae, the Redwood branch 
of the Pine family. These 36 different ‘Red- 
woods” vary from dwarf shrubs to giant 
trees, growing in various climates, in many 
parts of the world. 
Although botanists differ, here is the best 
list of “Redwoods” we have been able to 
compile to date: 
1. SEQUOIA—Redwood. 2 species plus 6 vari- 
eties, evergreen. 
S. sempervirens—Coast Redwood, Califor- 
nia, hardy to 15° above zero. 
3 var.—adpressa, glauca, pendula. 
S. gigantea — Giant Sequoia, California, 
hardy to 25 below, if protected when young, 
if handled right—if not, to zero or above. 
3 var.—aureum, glaucum, pendulum. 
2. METASEQUOIA—Dawn Redwood. 1 species, 
deciduous, recently found alive in China. 
M. glyptostroboides —- hardy in Mass., S. 
Alaska. 
3. TAXODIUM—Bald Cypress. 3 species plus 6 
varieties, not a true cypress. 
T. distichum—Southern Bald Cypress, S.E. 
states, deciduous, hardy to New England 
when protected. 5 varieties: 
T. mucronatum—Mexican Cypress. Mexico, 
evergreen, largest diameter tree. Not hardy. 
4. GLYPTOSTROBUS—Chinese Swamp Redwood. 
1 or 2 species, evergreen. 
G. heterophyllus—China, shrub to 10 feet, 
not hardy. (Some botanists class as Taxod- 
ium.) Also called G. pensilis. 
6. CUNNINGHAMIA — Cunninghamia. 2 species, 
evergreen, hardy to 15 above zero. 
C. lanceolata or sinensis—China Fir—bushy 
tree to 80 ft. tall. 
C. Konishii — Formosan Cunninghamia, 
smaller leaves—grown also in S. W. China. 
(Some botanists class as Taiwania.) 
7. ARTHROTAXIS — Arthrotaxis. Tasmania, 3 
species, evergreen, probably very hardy. 
A. selaginoides—mountain tree to 100 feet. 
A. cupressoides—up to 40 ft. tall. 
A. laxifolia—up to 40 feet. 
(Some botanists class as Cunninghamia.) 
8. SCIADOPITYS — Umbrella Pine. 1 species, 2 
varieties, hardy to Maine, if protected. 
S. verticellata — evergreen, requires moist 
soil all year, to 100 ft. 
9. TAIWANIA—Taiwania. 1 species. 
T. cryotomerioides—tall evergreen, Formosa 
& S. W. China—scale-like leaves—not hardy. 
If you have not room enough for a giant 
Redwood, or live in an unsuitable climate, 
perhaps you can grow one of the dwarfs or 
one of the more hardy varieties. The Rare 
Plant Club is attempting to build up a com- 
plete collection of all 36 ‘"Redwoods,” which 
we believe has never been done. Wherever 
you are, if you want to grow one Redwood 
or a grove of many varieties, let us know 
your climate and location problem. We may 
be able to help you. 
SOON—ALL 15 species, plus varieties—later, improved HYBRIDS 
