How to Plant and Grow Dawn Redwood

If you have the space, dawn redwood is one of the most beautiful and special trees you can plant. It has lush needles, a graceful pyramidal form, and an elegant branching pattern. The tree grows fast, up to 3 feet per year, and it easily reaches 70 feet in height although smaller cultivars are available. 

Dawn redwood is a deciduous conifer. It looks like an evergreen during the growing season as it is clothed in soft green needles. The foliage turns russet-red in autumn before gracefully falling from the branches. Because dawn redwood is a prehistoric tree that was widespread 50 million years ago, it is also referred to as a living fossil. Birds seek out the dense branches of the tree for nesting.

Where to Plant Dawn Redwood

Dawn redwood needs a spot in full sun that is large enough to accommodate the mature tree without it outgrowing and shading other trees around it. The soil at the planting site should be rich, moist yet well-drained, and acidic.

The tree is useful for casting shade and adding privacy to decks, patios, and other outdoor living areas during the spring and summer months. As it is not an evergreen, it is not a good choice for windbreaks or privacy during the cold-weather months.

How and When to Plant Dawn Redwood

Plant the tree in the early fall. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide and has the same depth as the plant's root ball. Position the tree in the planting hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding grade. Backfill with the original soil. Water well. Unless there is frequent and abundant rain, water the tree to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Stop watering when the ground freezes. During the next growing season, water during dry spells. Dawn redwood is rarely browsed by deer though it is always a good idea to protect a young tree with a tree guard for the first couple of growing seasons. 

Dawn redwood is usually planted as a specimen tree. If you plant more than one, space the trees at least 25 feet apart.

Dawn Redwood Care Tips

If you have the necessary space, dawn redwood is easy to grow and does well in a wide range of conditions.

Light

Full sun—at least six hours of direct sunlight per day—is required so the tree grows to its full potential.

Soil and Water

Dawn redwood prospers in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter but it adapts to a variety of soil types. Its soil pH requirements, on the other hand, are more specific. Like all redwood species, it needs acidic soil; a pH of 4.5 is ideal.

Consistent moisture is also key for the tree’s health. It is able to survive dry spells. However, dry soil slows down its growth and often causes the needles to turn brown in the summer and drop prematurely. Be sure to water the tree in times of little rainfall.

Temperature and Humidity

Dawn redwood is a hardy tree that is well adapted to winters down to Zone 4. However, it does not tolerate early frosts in the fall that may injure the tender late-season growth. This is not something you can avoid but it makes it all the more important to abstain from fertilizing the tree after midsummer. High humidity, unlike hot, dry weather, is not an issue.

Fertilizer

If the tree has been planted in rich soil, there is no need to add commercial fertilizer unless a specific nutrient is lacking. Dawn redwood is highly susceptible to iron deficiency, which causes a yellowing of the needles. Only a soil test performed in a laboratory will reveal if that is the case. Make sure to get the soil tested before adding anything to the soil.

For an annual nutrient boost, instead of fertilizer, spread a 2-inch layer of compost underneath the tree's canopy in the early spring.

Pruning

Dawn redwood should not be pruned except to remove dead, broken, or diseased branches. Choose the planting location well. If the tree starts to outgrow is allocated space, pruning or shearing it to control its size is not recommended.

Potting and Repotting Dawn Redwood

Due to its large size, dawn redwood is not suitable to be grown in pots.

Pests and Problems

Dawn redwood is generally free of pests and diseases. It is susceptible to redwood branch canker, a fungal disease. Trees under heat stress have lower resistance to the fungal spores.

How to Propagate Dawn Redwood

Propagation of dawn redwood is best left to nursery professionals. The seeds are very small and germination is slow. Propagation from softwood or hardwood cuttings requires a precisely formulated rooting hormone solution and outdoor rooting beds with bottom heat.

Types of Dawn Redwood

'Miss Grace'

This weeping dawn redwood has cascading branches cloaked in soft green needles. It sprawls on the ground but can also be staked as a small tree that slowly grows 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Zone 5-8

'Ogon'

Also known as golden dawn redwood, 'Ogon.' bears stunning chartreuse foliage in the spring and summer months and turns a lovely shade of bronze in autumn. It reaches 100 feet in height when mature. Zones 4-8

‘Emerald Feathers'

This dwarf variety only grows 15 feet tall and 7 feet wide in ten years. The feather-like foliage is bright green. Zone 4-8

'Nitschke Cream'

The new foliage of this cultivar starts out cream-colored and turns green as it matures. The tree reaches up to 10 feet in height in 10 years. Zone 4-8