History

• In preparation for a much-feared Japanese invasion of mainland China in 1941, T. Kan, a Chinese forester who was participating in a search for a suitable hideaway for urban aristocrats, came across an unusual conifer with ferny leaves growing near a monastery in central China. Mr. Kan made a note to investigate the tree in more peaceful times. About 5 years later, the tree made an international sensation when it was discovered to be dawn redwood, previously known only in the fossil record and thought to have been extinct for millions of years.
  
  

Plant Characteristics

• Dawn redwood is a tall tree, typically growing 75 to 100 feet tall. 400-year-old specimens in China can actually be 115 feet. A conifer, dawn redwood has the distinction of being deciduous, losing its soft, ferny needles in winter. Before falling, its leaves turn reddish brown. Its splitting, peeling bark provides interest in all seasons. Dawn redwood has an irregular, pyramidal shape that adds a stately character to landscapes.
  
  

Fertilizer Needs

• Planted in rich soil, dawn redwood is fairly self-sufficient, drawing nutrients from the soil. Sandy or rocky soils, however, drain freely and leach nutrients quickly. Dawn redwoods in these soils will need periodic applications of fertilizer to perform their best. The tree usually tells you when it needs to be fed. Pale green leaves, reduced vigor and failure to produce cones are an indication of poor soil nutrition.
  
  

Application

• Like most conifers, dawn redwood benefits from a complete fertilizer, such as 10-8-6. Complete fertilizers have all three macronutrients -- nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K). The exact formula doesn't matter, but it should have all three elements, with nitrogen being dominant. One annual application in spring, just before the tree leafs out, is sufficient, though fertilizer can be applied as late as midsummer if you miss the spring feeding. Follow application rates on the package to avoid root damage.
  
  

Tips

• If you're planting a new dawn redwood, mix in lots of organic matter such as leaf mold or compost. Organic matter stores moisture and nutrients, releasing them as the roots demand them. If the tree is planted in a lawn that is well-fertilized, it probably gets sufficient nutrition. Don't be afraid to plant dawn redwood if your soil is soggy as it likes evenly moist or wet soil.