Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Encyclopedia
Metasequoia glyptostroboides, the dawn redwood, is a fast-growing, critically endangered deciduous
conifer tree
, sole living species of the genus Metasequoia
, and one of three species of conifers
known as redwoods. It is native to the Sichuan
-Hubei
region of China
. Although shortest of the redwoods, it grows to at least 200 ft (61 m) in height.
Local villagers refer to the original tree from which most others derive as Shui-sa, or "water fir," which is part of a local shrine
. Since that tree's rediscovery in 1943, the dawn redwood has become a popular ornamental tree
in parks and gardens worldwide.
(Giant Sequoia) of California
, M. glyptostroboides is classified in the family Cupressaceae
in the subfamily Sequoioideae. Although it is the only living species in its genus, three fossil
species are known as well. The other Sequoioideae and several other genera have been transferred from the former Taxodiaceae
family to the new Cupressaceae
using DNA analysis.
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While the bark and foliage are similar to another closely related redwood genus Sequoia
, M. glyptostroboides differs from the coast redwood in that it is deciduous
like Taxodium distichum
(bald cypress), and like that species, older specimens form wide buttresses
on the lower trunk. It is a fast-growing tree to 40–45 m (131.2–147.6 ft) tall and 2 ft (0.6096 m) trunk diameter in cultivation so far (with the potential to grow to even greater heights).
The leaves are opposite, 1–3 cm (0.393700787401575–1.2 in) long, and bright fresh green, turning a foxy red-brown in fall. The pollen
cones are 5–6 mm (0.196850393700787–0.236220472440945 in) long, produced on long spikes in early spring; they are only produced on trees growing in regions with hot summers. The cones
are globose to ovoid, 1.5–2.5 cm (0.590551181102362–0.984251968503937 in) in diameter with 16-28 scales, arranged in opposite pairs in four rows, each pair at right angles to the adjacent pair; they mature in about 8–9 months after pollination.
Era by Shigeru Miki in 1941, but in 1943 a small stand of an unidentified tree was discovered in China in Modaoxi (presently, Moudao, Lichuan County, Hubei
) by Zhan Wang; due to World War II
, these were not studied further until 1946 and only finally described as a new living species, M. glyptostroboides, in 1948 by Wan Chun Cheng
and Hu Hsen Hsu. In 1948 the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
sent an expedition to collect seeds and, soon after, seedling trees were distributed to various universities and arboreta worldwide for growth trials.
In 1995, the Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve
, was established in North Carolina
. Here, hundreds of dawn redwoods have been planted in a natural state where they can be observed and recorded in the wild, without having to travel to China. The project goal is 1,000-5,000 trees. Currently, 200+ dawn redwoods thrive in three separate groves. A fourth grove was lost to beaver depredation, and resulted in the loss of 125+ dawn redwoods. CRDRP remains the only eastern redwood forest in America, and the sole wild dawn redwood forest outside of China. The preserve is tentatively scheduled to open to the public in 2035.
regions, and is now widely planted as an ornamental tree
. Planted specimens have already reached 25–40 m (82–131.2 ft) in height and 1–1.3 m (3.3–4.3 ft) in diameter, despite being in cultivation for less than sixty years. This rapid rate of growth has led to consideration for using the tree in forestry
plantations. It has been discovered that M. glyptostroboides will thrive in standing water, much like the Bald Cypress
, and if left branched to the ground in full sun, will develop the large, contorted boles
that have made it famous. Limbing or pruning at an early age will prohibit this formation later on.
In cultivation, Metasequoia glyptostroboides is hardy to USDA Zone 5, making it hardy down to lows of -25°F (-32°C). It is very tolerant of soggy, water-logged soils as in the wild it is adapted to growing in flood plains. Until it is established in a specific site, it is very prone to drought and inadequate water availability. The dawn redwood is recommended for urban areas in the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast of North America, as its fast growth rate and tolerance for air pollution make it widely adaptable and able to thrive where other species might suffer. This species tends to struggle without irrigation in arid climates, however, such as the American West, unless planted directly on or adjacent to a body of water such as a pond or stream. This species is also highly susceptible to damage from contact with heavy amounts of winter de-icing salt.
In the late 1980s, it was discovered that many of the second generation trees in cultivation suffered from inbreeding depression
(extremely low genetic variability) which could lead to increased susceptibility to disease
and reproductive failure. This was because most of the trees were grown from seeds and cuttings derived from as few as three trees that the Arnold Arboretum had used as its source. More widespread seed-collecting expeditions in China in the 1990s sought to resolve this problem and restore genetic diversity to cultivated M. glyptostroboides.
in Bretherton
has two dawn redwoods believed to have been brought over many years ago from China and are now under conservation protection. They are thought to have possibly been a present to one of the families that lived at the hall from Kew Gardens in London. Nevill Hall Hospital
, built in the grounds of a mansion, has a stand of ten planted adjacent to the Pathology Laboratory.
There is also an example in the grounds of Askham Bryan College
, York.There is also a large collection of dawn redwoods at the Arboretum Trust in York.
have fine specimens, but the Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve
in North Carolina
remains the only endeavor for the re-introduction of the species into a natural setting in the United States - and the leading research facility (headed by actor D.A. Hänks) to study the tree's habit in the wild - in the world.
, believes that dawn redwood is a tree for the future. Pinus radiata, known in California as Monterey pine
, is now the most popular tree for intensive "plantation" forestry, especially in the southern hemisphere where native pines do not exist (although of all plantations of the world, Eucalyptus
are the most common). Professor Jagels predicts that the dawn redwood will become the Monterey pine
of the late 21st century.
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
conifer tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
, sole living species of the genus Metasequoia
Metasequoia
Metasequoia is a fast-growing, deciduous tree, and the sole living species, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, is one of three species of conifers known as redwoods. It is native to the Sichuan-Hubei region of China. Although the least tall of the redwoods, it grows to at least 200 feet in height...
, and one of three species of conifers
Pinophyta
The conifers, division Pinophyta, also known as division Coniferophyta or Coniferae, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. Pinophytes are gymnosperms. They are cone-bearing seed plants with vascular tissue; all extant conifers are woody plants, the great majority being...
known as redwoods. It is native to the Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
-Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
region of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Although shortest of the redwoods, it grows to at least 200 ft (61 m) in height.
Local villagers refer to the original tree from which most others derive as Shui-sa, or "water fir," which is part of a local shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
. Since that tree's rediscovery in 1943, the dawn redwood has become a popular ornamental tree
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
in parks and gardens worldwide.
Related species
Together with Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood) and Sequoiadendron giganteumSequoiadendron
Sequoiadendron giganteum is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia sempervirens and...
(Giant Sequoia) of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, M. glyptostroboides is classified in the family Cupressaceae
Cupressaceae
The Cupressaceae or cypress family is a conifer family with worldwide distribution. The family includes 27 to 30 genera , which include the junipers and redwoods, with about 130-140 species in total. They are monoecious, subdioecious or dioecious trees and shrubs from 1-116 m tall...
in the subfamily Sequoioideae. Although it is the only living species in its genus, three fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
species are known as well. The other Sequoioideae and several other genera have been transferred from the former Taxodiaceae
Taxodiaceae
The Taxodiaceae were at one time regarded as a distinct plant family comprising the following ten genera of coniferous trees:*Athrotaxis*Cryptomeria*Cunninghamia*†Cunninghamites*Glyptostrobus*Metasequoia*Sciadopitys...
family to the new Cupressaceae
Cupressaceae
The Cupressaceae or cypress family is a conifer family with worldwide distribution. The family includes 27 to 30 genera , which include the junipers and redwoods, with about 130-140 species in total. They are monoecious, subdioecious or dioecious trees and shrubs from 1-116 m tall...
using DNA analysis.
Appearance
Sequoia (genus)
Sequoia is a genus of redwood coniferous trees in the Sequoioideae subfamily, of the Cupressaceae family. The only extant species of the genus is the Sequoia sempervirens in the Northern California coastal forests ecoregion of Northern California and Southern Oregon in the United States...
, M. glyptostroboides differs from the coast redwood in that it is deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
like Taxodium distichum
Taxodium distichum
Taxodium distichum is a species of conifer native to the southeastern United States.-Characteristics:...
(bald cypress), and like that species, older specimens form wide buttresses
Buttress root
Buttress are large roots on all sides of a big bottomed tree or shallowly rooted tree. Typically, they are found in nutrient-poor rainforest soils and do not penetrate to deeper layers. They prevent the tree from falling over while also gathering more nutrients...
on the lower trunk. It is a fast-growing tree to 40–45 m (131.2–147.6 ft) tall and 2 ft (0.6096 m) trunk diameter in cultivation so far (with the potential to grow to even greater heights).
The leaves are opposite, 1–3 cm (0.393700787401575–1.2 in) long, and bright fresh green, turning a foxy red-brown in fall. The pollen
Pollen
Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes . Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the...
cones are 5–6 mm (0.196850393700787–0.236220472440945 in) long, produced on long spikes in early spring; they are only produced on trees growing in regions with hot summers. The cones
Conifer cone
A cone is an organ on plants in the division Pinophyta that contains the reproductive structures. The familiar woody cone is the female cone, which produces seeds. The male cones, which produce pollen, are usually herbaceous and much less conspicuous even at full maturity...
are globose to ovoid, 1.5–2.5 cm (0.590551181102362–0.984251968503937 in) in diameter with 16-28 scales, arranged in opposite pairs in four rows, each pair at right angles to the adjacent pair; they mature in about 8–9 months after pollination.
Fossils
The genus Metasequoia was first described as a fossil from the MesozoicMesozoic
The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...
Era by Shigeru Miki in 1941, but in 1943 a small stand of an unidentified tree was discovered in China in Modaoxi (presently, Moudao, Lichuan County, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
) by Zhan Wang; due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, these were not studied further until 1946 and only finally described as a new living species, M. glyptostroboides, in 1948 by Wan Chun Cheng
Wan Chun Cheng
Professor Wan Chun Cheng was one of the most eminent Chinese botanists of the 20th century. Initially one of the Chinese plant collectors who followed in the wake of the Europeans after 1920, he became one of the world's leading authorities on the taxonomy of gymnosperms...
and Hu Hsen Hsu. In 1948 the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
sent an expedition to collect seeds and, soon after, seedling trees were distributed to various universities and arboreta worldwide for growth trials.
Conservation
In Lichuan County, there is one dawn redwood forest, consisting of barely 5,000 trees (by another count, around 5,400 trees.), as well as a number of smaller groups (typically, under 30 trees each). Since its discovery, the dawn redwood has become something of a national point of pride, and it is both protected under Chinese law and planted widely. As such, it's not likely to go extinct, but dawn redwood is critically endangered in the wild. Though cutting of trees or branches is illegal, the demand for seedlings drives cone collection to the point that natural reproduction is no longer occurring in the dawn redwood forest. Although the species will continue to live in yards, parks and on roadsides all over China, the M. glyptostroboides forest ecosystem could disappear when its mature trees die.In 1995, the Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve
Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve
The Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve is a privately controlled 50 acre redwood preserve in the Sauratown Mountains of North Carolina dedicated to re-establishing dawn redwoods to the Blue Ridge Mountains of southern Appalachia. The preserve was established in 1995, by actor D.A...
, was established in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Here, hundreds of dawn redwoods have been planted in a natural state where they can be observed and recorded in the wild, without having to travel to China. The project goal is 1,000-5,000 trees. Currently, 200+ dawn redwoods thrive in three separate groves. A fourth grove was lost to beaver depredation, and resulted in the loss of 125+ dawn redwoods. CRDRP remains the only eastern redwood forest in America, and the sole wild dawn redwood forest outside of China. The preserve is tentatively scheduled to open to the public in 2035.
Gardens and landscape
Dawn redwood has proved an easy tree to grow in temperateTemperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
regions, and is now widely planted as an ornamental tree
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
. Planted specimens have already reached 25–40 m (82–131.2 ft) in height and 1–1.3 m (3.3–4.3 ft) in diameter, despite being in cultivation for less than sixty years. This rapid rate of growth has led to consideration for using the tree in forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
plantations. It has been discovered that M. glyptostroboides will thrive in standing water, much like the Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Taxodium distichum is a species of conifer native to the southeastern United States.-Characteristics:...
, and if left branched to the ground in full sun, will develop the large, contorted boles
Trunk (botany)
In botany, trunk refers to the main wooden axis of a tree that supports the branches and is supported by and directly attached to the roots. The trunk is covered by the bark, which is an important diagnostic feature in tree identification, and which often differs markedly from the bottom of the...
that have made it famous. Limbing or pruning at an early age will prohibit this formation later on.
In cultivation, Metasequoia glyptostroboides is hardy to USDA Zone 5, making it hardy down to lows of -25°F (-32°C). It is very tolerant of soggy, water-logged soils as in the wild it is adapted to growing in flood plains. Until it is established in a specific site, it is very prone to drought and inadequate water availability. The dawn redwood is recommended for urban areas in the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast of North America, as its fast growth rate and tolerance for air pollution make it widely adaptable and able to thrive where other species might suffer. This species tends to struggle without irrigation in arid climates, however, such as the American West, unless planted directly on or adjacent to a body of water such as a pond or stream. This species is also highly susceptible to damage from contact with heavy amounts of winter de-icing salt.
In the late 1980s, it was discovered that many of the second generation trees in cultivation suffered from inbreeding depression
Inbreeding depression
Inbreeding depression is the reduced fitness in a given population as a result of breeding of related individuals. It is often the result of a population bottleneck...
(extremely low genetic variability) which could lead to increased susceptibility to disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
and reproductive failure. This was because most of the trees were grown from seeds and cuttings derived from as few as three trees that the Arnold Arboretum had used as its source. More widespread seed-collecting expeditions in China in the 1990s sought to resolve this problem and restore genetic diversity to cultivated M. glyptostroboides.
In the United Kingdom
The dawn redwood can be found in some gardens of mansion houses and historic buildings. Bank HallBank Hall
Bank Hall is a Jacobean mansion south of the village of Bretherton in Lancashire, England. It is a Grade II* Listed Building. The hall was built on the site of a previous building in 1608 during the reign of James I by the Banastre family who were Lords of the Manor. It was extended during the 18th...
in Bretherton
Bretherton
Bretherton is a small village and civil parish in the Borough of Chorley, Lancashire, England situated to the south west of Leyland and east of Tarleton. Its name suggests pre-conquest origins and its early history was closely involved with the manor house Bank Hall and the families who lived there...
has two dawn redwoods believed to have been brought over many years ago from China and are now under conservation protection. They are thought to have possibly been a present to one of the families that lived at the hall from Kew Gardens in London. Nevill Hall Hospital
Nevill Hall Hospital
Nevill Hall Hospital is a district general hospital in Abergavenny, north Monmouthshire, Wales, United Kingdom.It was officially opened in April 1970, the new buildings replacing the older Victorian built converted mansion, which has since been used as office accommodation and still remains at the...
, built in the grounds of a mansion, has a stand of ten planted adjacent to the Pathology Laboratory.
There is also an example in the grounds of Askham Bryan College
Askham Bryan College
Askham Bryan College is a specialist landbased college based in Askham Bryan, York, England. It also has centres in Thirsk, Bedale, Harrogate, Guisborough, Bradford, Wakefield Scarborough and Penrith....
, York.There is also a large collection of dawn redwoods at the Arboretum Trust in York.
In the United States
Dawn redwood thrive in a large, crescent-shaped region that encompasses the Eastern and Southern US. Many institutions, such as the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
have fine specimens, but the Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve
Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve
The Crescent Ridge Dawn Redwoods Preserve is a privately controlled 50 acre redwood preserve in the Sauratown Mountains of North Carolina dedicated to re-establishing dawn redwoods to the Blue Ridge Mountains of southern Appalachia. The preserve was established in 1995, by actor D.A...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
remains the only endeavor for the re-introduction of the species into a natural setting in the United States - and the leading research facility (headed by actor D.A. Hänks) to study the tree's habit in the wild - in the world.
Plantation forestry
Professor Richard Jagels of the University of MaineUniversity of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
, believes that dawn redwood is a tree for the future. Pinus radiata, known in California as Monterey pine
Monterey Pine
The Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata, family Pinaceae, also known as the Insignis Pine or Radiata Pine is a species of pine native to the Central Coast of California....
, is now the most popular tree for intensive "plantation" forestry, especially in the southern hemisphere where native pines do not exist (although of all plantations of the world, Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
are the most common). Professor Jagels predicts that the dawn redwood will become the Monterey pine
Monterey Pine
The Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata, family Pinaceae, also known as the Insignis Pine or Radiata Pine is a species of pine native to the Central Coast of California....
of the late 21st century.
See also
Sequoioideae:- Sequoiadendron giganteum - Giant SequoiaSequoiadendronSequoiadendron giganteum is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia sempervirens and...
or Sierra Redwood - Sequoia sempervirens - Coast Redwood or California Redwood