Arboretum in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Dawn Redwood from China

(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2020

1. Dawn Redwood from China Marker

Inscription. This small grove of Dawn Redwood is somewhat reminiscent of the few stands that occur in its native homeland, China. Known only through paleobotanical records prior to 1945, living specimens of this almost extinct plant were discovered in that year in remote localities in west-central China near the Szechuan-Hupeh border. The first few seeds sent to the United States went to the Arnold Arboretum which arranged for a major collection of seed in 1947. From that introduction, seedlings were widely distributed in 1948 to arboretum and botanic gardens throughout the temperate zones of the world.

In its homeland, Dawn Redwood becomes more than 100 feet high and grows along streams and moist places. It makes a loose narrow cone, is deciduous, and the feathery foliage is bright green in summer much like that of a hemlock, turning to a mixture of brilliant pink and gold as the needles drop in autumn. It is then that one can see the broad buttress-like base which is so characteristic of this tree.

Dawn Redwood grows best in a moist, well-drained acid soil similar to the requirements for hemlock. Recently (1963) the National

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Arboretum made a selection from among the trees growing on the grounds and named it 'National'. It is a particularly narrow conical tree located in the deciduous azalea area.

You will want to walk into this grove because it is such an unusual tree with a unique history, having been on earth some 50 million years in remote parts of China and yet brought to our attention only within this century.

Erected by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 38° 54.864′ N, 76° 57.449′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Arboretum. It is at the intersection of Conifer Road Northeast and Hickey Hill Road Northeast, on the left when traveling south on Conifer Road Northeast. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2020

2. Dawn Redwood from China Marker

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Man Who Loved Conifers (within shouting distance of this marker); Birds, Wetlands and… Conservation (approx. half a mile away); National Capitol Columns (approx. 0.6 miles away); "There are no borders in bonsai…" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bonsai Pioneer (approx. 0.6 miles away); Inherited Wealth (approx. 0.6 miles away); An Art Form Is Born (approx. 0.6 miles away); Branching Out (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northeast Washington.

Other markers no longer nearby. If trees could talk… (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); What shape do you see? (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.