The dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is a living fossil, a "dinosaur tree" once known only from fossils until living groves were found in China. It's a fast-growing deciduous conifer with soft, feathery foliage that turns coppery gold before dropping each fall. Two things define its care: it's an outdoor tree, and it's thirsty. Keep it well watered in full sun, and it grows quickly into a tall, elegant bonsai, which is exactly why it's a favorite for forest plantings.
Dawn redwood care at a glance
| Light | Full sun outdoors |
| Water | Generous. Keep the soil consistently moist; it hates drying out |
| Temperature | Hardy and deciduous; protect from hard frost when dormant |
| Indoor or outdoor | Outdoor, always. It needs a winter dormancy |
| Soil | Deep, rich, moisture-retentive but well-draining |
| Fertilizer | Late spring to late summer; none in fall |
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly, if you keep up with watering |
An outdoor tree that drops its needles
The dawn redwood is a deciduous conifer, an unusual thing: it has needle-like foliage but sheds it every autumn after a lovely coppery-gold display, then leafs out fresh in spring. It lives outdoors year-round and needs a real winter dormancy. It's hardy, but because it grows in a small pot, give it protection from extreme cold and hard frost through the dormant season, a cold frame, an unheated garage, or a sheltered spot mulched to the rim.
Watering
This is the dawn redwood's headline. In the wild it grows along riverbanks and damp ground, so it wants plenty of water and hates drying out. Keep the soil consistently moist, checking an inch or two down and watering thoroughly before it dries. A fast grower in full sun drinks a lot, especially in summer, so err on the generous side.
Light
Give it full sun outdoors. Strong light fuels the vigorous growth and keeps the tree healthy and well-proportioned.
Fertilizing
Feed from late spring to late summer with a well-balanced organic fertilizer to support the fast growth. Stop feeding in fall so the tree can wind down naturally into dormancy.
Pruning, wiring, and forests
Dawn redwoods grow fast, so expect to prune often through the season to keep the shape you want. They train beautifully as formal and informal uprights, and their tall, straight habit makes them one of the best species for bonsai forest and grove plantings, where a group of trunks creates a miniature woodland. If you want to wire, do it while the tree is dormant, from early winter to early spring, and watch that the wire doesn't bite into the fast-thickening trunks.
Repotting
Repot every other year in spring with fresh, mineral-rich, quick-draining soil, doing only minimal root pruning; the dawn redwood's roots are vigorous and don't need heavy reduction. Standing the pot on a humidity tray of pebbles helps keep moisture up and roots happy.
Common problems
Browning, crisping foliage in summer. Almost always underwatering. This tree is thirsty; keep it consistently moist and give it more water in heat.
All the needles turning gold and dropping in fall. Completely normal. It's a deciduous conifer, so it sheds every autumn and releafs in spring. Don't mistake dormancy for death.
Weak, sparse growth. Usually too little sun or water. Move it to full sun and keep the soil moist.
Not sure what's wrong? Send us photos before making big changes. With a dawn redwood, the answer is usually more water.
FAQ
Is a dawn redwood bonsai indoor or outdoor?
Outdoor. It's a hardy deciduous conifer that needs full sun and a winter dormancy. It can't live indoors.
How often should I water a dawn redwood bonsai?
Often. Keep the soil consistently moist and never let it dry out, watering more in summer heat. Dawn redwoods are among the thirstier bonsai.
Why is my dawn redwood losing its needles?
If it's fall, that's normal: it's a deciduous conifer and sheds every year after turning gold. If it's the growing season, suspect underwatering.
Are dawn redwoods good for bonsai forests?
Excellent. Their tall, straight, uniform growth makes them one of the classic species for forest and grove plantings.
Is a dawn redwood good for beginners?
Yes, as long as you can keep it watered and outdoors. It's fast, forgiving, and rewarding, just don't let it dry out.
Ready for your own dawn redwood?
- Browse our outdoor bonsai trees, including dawn redwoods
- Set yours up right with bonsai soil and potting supplies
- Prefer to learn hands-on? Join a workshop at the nursery