Dawn redwood vs. Bald Cypress The dawn redwood is a fast grower compared to the bald cypress
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum is a deciduous conifer in the family Cupressaceae. It is native to the southeastern United States. Hardy and tough, this tree adapts to a wide range of soil types, whether wet, dry, or swampy. It is noted for the russet-red fall color of its lacy needles.
What are the characteristics of dawn redwood trees?
The dawn redwood rapidly grows to 75 to 100 feet or taller and 15 to 25 feet wide with a pyramidal shape. Specimens as tall as 200 feet have been identified. The bark becomes deeply fissured as the tree matures, and the base of the tree forms a wide flare. The feathery, fine-textured needles are opposite, and approximately 1/2 inch long.
What does a redwood tree look like when it matures?
Dawn redwood grows quickly into a large tree with a pyramidal shape. The bark becomes deeply fissured as the tree matures, and the base of the tree forms a wide flare. The feathery, fine-textured needles are opposite and approximately 1/2 inch long.
What is the scientific name for dawn redwood?
Dawn redwood is suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8 but may have a hard time in the colder areas. The botanical name for this species is Metasequoia glyptostroboides, and it is part of the Cupressaceae family—the only remaining species in the genus. The dawn redwood sometimes is called the metasequoia.
Can you grow dawn redwood from cuttings?
Propagating Dawn Redwood Dawn redwood can be propagated from hardwood cuttings. Because the plant is very fast-growing, propagated trees can become contributing landscape specimens within a few years. If you take cuttings in early spring, you will be able to plant the saplings by fall.
Is dawn redwood a cypress?
Despite often being confused for one another, the dawn redwood and the bald cypress belong to very different plant families. In addition, dawn redwood needles grow opposite one another, while bald cypress needles grow in an alternating pattern.
How can you tell a dawn redwood?
Dawn Redwood is a deciduous conifer producing small, round 1/2" to 1" cones. It has a neat pyramidal shape in youth, maturing into a more rounded crown. The bright green, feathery leaves turn orange-brown or reddish-brown in the fall. Fast-growing and easily transplanted.
How do you identify a bald cypress?
1:002:19How to identify bald cypress vs. dawn redwood | TREE ID #9 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you compare those needles to that of a dawn redwood on top the dawn redwood needles are anMoreAnd if you compare those needles to that of a dawn redwood on top the dawn redwood needles are an inch long a little more feathery the bald cypress needles are shorter. Than an inch.
How big does a dawn redwood tree get?
It is also the smallest of the three redwoods: dawn redwoods are typically between 50 and 60 feet tall, but can grow taller than 160 feet with a trunk about 7 feet in diameter. It is considered a fast-growing tree and is often planted as an ornamental.
Are dawn redwoods rare?
The largest population of this species can be found growing in Xiaohe Valley and consists of around 5,000 individuals. Despite its success as a landscape tree, the dawn redwood is still considered endangered in the wild. Demand for seeds has led to very little recruitment in the remaining populations.
Why is it called a dawn redwood?
An ancient tree from the “dawn” of time, the Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is called by plant enthusiasts “a living fossil.” The tree was first revealed to Western horticulturalists through archaeological observation in the early 1940's.
What are bald cypress trees good for?
Bald cypresses have very important roles in the wild. Since they tend to grow along rivers and in wetlands, they are excellent at soaking up floodwaters and preventing erosion. They also trap pollutants and prevent them from spreading. Frogs, toads, and salamanders use bald cypress swamps as breeding grounds.
Is a bald cypress a good yard tree?
"Bald-cypress makes a fine specimen tree for very large landscapes. They are best suited to wet areas, lake margins, and the like, but as noted above, they will thrive in normal, even dry soils."
How big does a bald cypress get?
The baldcypress grows to a height of 50–70' and a spread of around 25' at maturity.
Is dawn redwood a good tree?
The Dawn Redwood is an extremely hardy tree that will tolerate pollution so it's works well in urban environments. Deer are not a problem for this deciduous conifer. The Dawn Redwood is the perfect focal or specimen tree for your yard. The tree can grow over 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide so be sure you have the space.
What is the lifespan of a dawn redwood tree?
Compared to other redwood species, like the coast redwood that can live to be over 2000 years old, the dawn redwood is the shortest lived of the redwoods. Their average lifespan is 500-800 years.
Can you keep a dawn redwood small?
Types of Dawn Redwoods Severe pruning, for example, can keep the tree shorter, at around 15 inches, where more lax pruning will see the tree shoot up to 25 inches or even larger. A natural dawn redwood that grows in the ground requires little trimming, as it forms a natural triangular shape throughout its life.
How can you tell if wood is redwood?
Look at the color of your wood. Douglas fir is light colored wood, white to pale yellow. Pine is also a yellowish color, and redwood has a very distinctive color. It can be cherry-red to dark reddish-brown.
Is dawn redwood a good tree?
The Dawn Redwood is an extremely hardy tree that will tolerate pollution so it's works well in urban environments. Deer are not a problem for this deciduous conifer. The Dawn Redwood is the perfect focal or specimen tree for your yard. The tree can grow over 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide so be sure you have the space.
Does dawn redwood have knees?
The leaves of the dawn redwood or Metasequoia glyptostroboides are similar to those of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), that often has "knees" when planted in or near water.
Which grows faster bald cypress or dawn redwood?
Both are fast growing, large trees, though dawn redwood will grow a bit faster and has the potential to top 100' much more often than bald cypress.
What is the difference between dawn redwood and bald cypress?
WRITES: What is the difference between the dawn redwood and bald cypress? A neighbor has two trees that looked like our coastal redwood trees, but according to the neighbor, they are really dawn redwood. He said he planted them because his soil does not drain well in that particular location.
How tall is a dawn redwood tree?
Its needles are opposite on the stems (an easy way to identify it). It’s a fast grower and can reach a height of 70 to 120 feet and a width of 25 feet. People confuse it with the bald cypress which is also deciduous.
How tall does a bald cypress tree grow?
Its growth rate is moderately slow and it can reach a mature height of 40 to 50 feet. If planted in a location that gets full sun and good drainage, the tree will put on faster growth.
What happens if trees are removed from the forest floor and not allowed to decay naturally?
If trees are removed from the forest floor and not allowed to decay naturally, many nutrients are lost from the cycle. I hope this answers your question, and do have a fun discussion with your parents on the question and answer.
What is the soil like in a high rainfall climate?
The soil, like that in any high-rainfall climate, contains few nutrients. Most of the substance necessary for life is in the trees themselves, living and dead, and in the other plants and animals of the forest.
When do bald cypress trees lose leaves?
In autumn, it begins to lose leaves (needles) and becomes completely deciduous. New needles that are white underneath appear in spring. The bald cypress is versatile and can be grown in drier states but won’t have “knees.”. These are outgrowths of the tree root systems when the trees grow in southern swamps.
Is a bald cypress deciduous?
People confuse it with the bald cypress which is also deciduous. It thrives in sunny locations that receive at least six hours of sun daily and tolerates moist soils and some poor drainage. However, it is adaptable to different types of soil and some drought conditions.
What is the Mexican version of bald cypress?
We tried both along with Montezuma Cypress (Mexican's version of bald cypress) at mom's house in Houston. Montezuma cypress is the winner. F-A-S-T grower.
How about a weeping BC?
How about a weeping BC? The weeping branches could mimic downward motion of a waterfall or water fountain.
How tall do metasequoia trees grow?
and there are plenty of 100 foot examples of the same age so if you really want to plant and watch a tree grow to 100 feet tall like a "Redwood" there is an option.
Is the Bald Cyprees a NATIVIST?
Not really, the Bald Cyprees is the superior tree and I am not a NATIVIST by any means, but I still love'em both!
Is BC or Njoasis more attractive?
Both are very attractive, of course. But agree w/njoasis -- BC has even finer texture & elegance -- like a flowing green cloud in the wind from a distance. Get both if you can.
Is a conifer fast growing?
both are rather fast growing conifers ... and unless you have some acreage.. perhaps too big for the typical suburban garden ...
Is Dawn Redwood hardier in Zone 6?
In your zones it would be great, but, Dawn Redwood seems to be hardier in my zone 6.
How tall are cypress trees in Washington?
These trees are about 80 to 90 feet tall in narrow spire-like form, and still growing well. As for the bald cypress, there are fine specimens growing in the park area just south of the Ellipse, just north of constitution avenue. This is generally across from the Washington Monument.
Is a bald cypress hardy in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has Bald Cypress growing successfully up here in a solid zone 4, so that should tell you how hardy they are. However, I have been told by several different MN gardeners that there used to be several mature Dawn Redwoods growing at the MN State Fairgrounds until the 1980's when they were cut down to expand a parking lot.
How to tell if a bald cypress is a redwood?
From a distance, I have trouble distinguishing them. The best way to tell them apart is to look at the arrangement of the leaves. The leaves of dawn redwood (Metase-quoia glyptostroboides) are oppositely arranged, while the leaves of bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) are spirally arranged around the stem. Bald cypress is native to portions of the eastern United States, and although it is generally accepted that dawn redwood once grew here (15 million years ago), it is considered a native of China.
Who is Dennis Bishop?
Dennis Bishop is an urban horticulture educator for the Baltimore office of the Maryland Cooperative Extension Services. If you have a gardening or pest problem, you can call the Home and Garden Information Center hot line (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at 800-342-2507. You can also e-mail questions, order publications and diagnose plant problems by visiting the Web site www.hgic. umd.edu.
What is the difference between a dawn redwood and a bald cypress?
The needles on dawn redwood are opposite, meaning they are positioned directly across from each other on the stem, while bald cypress needles are alternate (staggered).
What is the name of the redwood tree that grows in California?
Dawn Redwood Care. The most famous members of the family are the coastal redwood ( Sequoia sempervires) and the giant sequoia ( Sequoiadenron giganteum) of California, but neither of those trees is commonly planted for landscape purposes. However, the dawn redwood ( Metasequoia glyptostroboides) does have a role in landscapes.
How much sun does a redwood need?
This redwood needs full sun to reach its mature height.
How big does Gold Rush grow?
It grows 50 feet high and 20 feet wide, making it a more manageable tree for moderate landscape sites.
Can dawn redwood trees survive frost?
Given that the dawn redwood has existed for many millions of years, this is a remarkable trouble-free tree. It can be susceptible to frost damage, as it grows until late in the season and may be caught by early chills. Try to find a spot that can offer some shelter from the elements, if possible—especially if you live in the northern end of its hardiness range.
Can dawn redwoods be grown in dry soil?
The dawn redwood does not do well if grown in alkaline or dry soils. If your spot is somewhat alkaline, there are methods to make your soil acidic, though you may need to repeat this treatment, and the difficulty of changing the pH increases if the soil is quite alkaline.
Can you propagate Dawn Redwood?
Dawn redwood can be propagated from hardwood cuttings. Because the plant is very fast-growing, propagated trees can become contributing landscape specimens within a few years. If you take cuttings in early spring, you will be able to plant the saplings by fall.