Dawn Redwood Care
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
A fast-growing tree known as a 'living fossil', one of the rare trees that sheds its needles in autumn. It likes full-sun areas and constantly moist, deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is a magnificent landscape tree, especially by water and in large parks.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- Pruning: The best time for structural pruning. It generally needs no pruning other than raising the lower branches or clearing broken branches.
- General care: Dormancy period. The conical form and red-brown bark of the tree are decorative in winter.
- Pests & diseases: No significant known pests or diseases.
- Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
- General care: Preparation can be made for planting new seedlings.
- Watering: If the soil begins to dry, 20-30 L/m² per week for young trees.
- Fertilizing: For young trees, apply slow-release balanced NPK fertilizer or compost to the soil at 50-100 g per tree. Do not overapply.
- General care: New, bright green needles begin to emerge. The best time for planting new seedlings.
- Frost risk: Late frosts rarely damage new shoots; it is generally hardy.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
- General care: Rapid growth period. Spreading organic mulch (such as bark) over the root zone preserves soil moisture.
- Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- General care: Summer watering is vital for young trees. Keep the mulch layer in place.
- Pests & diseases: Dry leaf tips can be a sign of water stress.
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- Plant protection: Not needed. There are no known serious pests or diseases.
- General care: Keep the soil cool and moist by maintaining the mulch layer (10-15 cm) in the root zone.
- Pests & diseases: Drying and dropping of the leaf edges is a sign of severe water stress.
- Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
- General care: Pay attention to prevent water stress during extreme heat.
- Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: Growth slows. A suitable time for autumn planting.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
- General care: Before the leaves drop, they take on a magnificent color between orange, red and brown.
- General care: It sheds all its needles. Leaving the fallen needles in the root zone as natural mulch enriches the soil.
- Pruning: Not needed. Mid-winter can be used for pruning.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
Browse all plant guides