![metasequoia goldrush metasequoia goldrush](https://www.bluebellnursery.com/3234-large_default/metasequoia-glyptostroboides-goldrush-.jpg)
Shigeru Miki from Kyoto University identified a divergent leaf form. While studying fossil samples of the family Cupressaceae, Dr. When the genus Metasequoia was first described in 1941, it was from Mesozoic Era fossils, none of which were less than 150 million years old. Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood) bonsai treeĪlthough it was commonly known from the fossil record from across the northern hemisphere, the dawn redwood was considered extinct until the mid-twentieth century. If the species had been discovered later, it might have become extinct before being investigated. The tree faces considerable risks of extinction in its wild range due to deforestation, however it has been planted extensively in arboreta worldwide, where it has proved a popular and fast-growing ornamental plant. It is a particularly well-known example of a living fossil species. In 1941, the genus Metasequoia was reported by paleobotanist Shigeru Miki as a widely distributed extinct genus based on fossils, before attracting considerable attention a few years later when small populations were found alive in central China. Although the shortest of the redwoods, it can grow to 120 ft (37 m) in height. It now survives only in wet lower slopes and montane river and stream valleys in the border region of Hubei and Hunan provinces and Chongqing municipality in south-central China, notably in Lichuan county in Hubei. It is the sole living species of the genus Metasequoia, one of three genera in the subfamily Sequoioideae of the family Cupressaceae. Photographed at Savage Plants in Kingston, Washington.Metasequoia glyptostroboides, the dawn redwood, is a fast-growing, endangered deciduous conifer. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go negotiate myself some visiting rights for a tree next door. If you have room to grow this conifer, it will be a stunning addition to your landscape. It is, however, important to give it some irrigation during our long summer drought. The bark is interesting on this deciduous tree, with deep fissures, giving it winter interest. In spring, the needles return an almost chartreuse yellow color. It then turns orange-brown in fall, when it sheds its needles. Metasequoia 'Gold Rush' keeps its coloring well into summer. I wonder, is he trying to show me up by planting a living relic in his backyard? So now I can enjoy the view of his tree from my back yard. Thankfully, my young friend, a beginning gardener who lives next door, bought one and planted it. I could plant it, but eventually it would outgrow the space I have available. I went home to try to find room for just one more tree in my garden. I found myself smitten with its fall coloring one day in the nursery.
METASEQUOIA GOLDRUSH FULL
In the Pacific Northwest, the gold foliage will not burn in full sun, unlike other gold foliage that has this tendency. It has not been in cultivation long enough for it to reach its full potential. This is a fast-growing tree, reaching 15-20 feet in ten years, after 20 or more years it will reach 50 feet.
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The name, Metasequoia, comes from the Greek word meta, meaning changed and refers to sequoia, which it is related to. Dutch horticulturalist Peter Zweinburg brought it to Europe and changed the name to 'Gold Rush'. Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush' was found as a seedling in Japan and was named 'Golden Ogi', which means the golden mantle. Michael Dirr once wrote, "This tree provides a case history of perhaps how endangered species should be managed. Now, it is once again growing on this continent. This tree grew on the North American continent over 15 million years ago. Once thought to be extinct, Dawn redwood was discovered in 1944 in China, soon after million year old fossils from Metasequoias were found in Japan.