Metasequoia glyptostroboides

A tall deciduous conifer with a conical shape that grows up to 45m tall and 10m wide.

This large conifer has dark reddish-brown bark when young becoming grey and fissured as it matures. With age the trunk becomes large and buttressed. Foliage is green and needle-like and bears separate male and female cones. In autumn this if one of few conifers that change colour with the changing temperatures. The foliage turns brownish-pink to yellow before falling from the tree.

Prefers full sun with moist well-draining slightly acidic soil. Tolerant of waterlogged soils.

Always choose healthy well grown plants and plant after autumn rains as the soil is moist and warm and allows trees to become established before winter. This enables them to withstand dry periods during the following summer. Young plants require thorough watering during dry periods over the first two or three years mulching helps to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Planting success is often improved on clay soils by adding extra topsoil and raising beds. Incorporate coarse sand, bark, compost or other organic material to improve soil structure. Before planting ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and firm in and water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square meter as new growth begins.

Tall plants and those in windy positions require staking to stabilize the root ball until established. Position the stakes in the hole before planting and place the plant between them. Use wide ties that hold securely without chafing tie firmly but allow room for the trunk to increase in girth without constriction. This allows the plant to move a little in the wind encouraging the development of a strong root system without the risk of chafing or root damage

Mulching annually helps suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Organic materials such as sawdust and bark contribute to soil structure as they decompose but keep mulching material away from the trunk. They benefit from a dressing (50g/m2) of general purpose fertiliser in early spring as new growth begins this will encourage more vigorous healthy growth. Sprinkle evenly and work into the top 2 to 3cm of the soil taking care not to damage surface roots.

The first summer and autumn after planting is critical for young plants; water thoroughly during dry periods. Pests and diseases can have serious debilitating effects on young plants; check regularly. Check stakes and ties for chafing and constriction and remove as soon as plants are strong enough to withstand winds without damage.

These trees require little if any pruning to maintain their pyramidal form other than to remove deadwood and branches that rub against one another but if pruning is required it should be done in winter while the tree is not in growth. See our pruning leaflet for more information.

As with any other tree butt flare (increased caliper at the base of the trunk) can be reduced somewhat by removing the lower branches at an early age.

Generally pest and disease free.

Native Identification Trail

The species was discovered by a Chinese forester Gan Duo when a small population was found in Modaoqi on the Sichuan-Hubei border. Typically found in shady moist sites such as ravines and stream banks. One to three of these trees were later sampled to produce the entire seed source for trees grown outside China before 1991. A more detailed exploration in 1947 found the species to range over an area of about 800 km2. The centre of the population supporting a population of about 6000 large trees was in the nearby Shuishaba valley in Hubei. Much of this population was logged following the Revolution in 1949. In 1986 an outlying population was found in Hunan. The species is, of course, rare and sensitive to human impacts.