Gold Rush Golden Dawn Redwood Tree – 7 Gallon Pot

Very easy to grow and fast-growing, ‘Gold Rush,’ also known as ‘Ogon,’ is an absolutely beautiful selection of the Dawn Redwood tree, a deciduous conifer that has been around since the “dawn” of the ages. From fossil records, it is known to have existed as many as 50,000,000 years ago. Gold Rush is a more recent introduction featuring very soft and feathery fern-like foliage that emerges a bright chartreuse-yellow in spring, becoming more golden yellow as the season progresses. With the arrival of cooler temperatures in fall, the foliage turns attractive shades of orange-bronze. Adding 2 feet or more in height per year, Gold Rush can reach 50 to 70 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide in 20 years. A faster growth rate can be expected when growing in consistently moist soil, which this tree prefers. The trunk broadens at the base and develops attractive, deeply fissured bark with age. A truly spectacular tree that deserves a spot in any landscape where it will grow and that can accommodate its size. USDA Zones: 5a-8b  Find Your Zone

Until 1941, when it was first discovered growing in the wild near the town of Modaoqi, China by Chinese forester, T. Kan, Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood) was thought to have been extinct, with only fossils to show it once existed. Seeds collected from the original site were made available to the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1947. Seedlings grown therefrom were planted in front of the Lehmann Building at MBG in 1952 where they have now developed into large mature trees (70’+ tall).

Growing 50 to 70 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide in 20 years, the Gold Rush Golden Dawn Redwood tree is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or in single or staggered rows to delineate a property line or line a driveway or street. Perfect for use as a shade tree, and when planted on the west side of the home cooling costs will be reduced. Since it prefers a consistently moist to wet soil, it is a beautiful asset in those areas of the landscape where the soil doesn’t dry out completely. A fine addition to conifer gardens, bird gardens and near bodies of water.

Suggested Spacing:  15 feet apart for screen plantings; 30 feet or more apart for space between trees, depending on soil moisture

The Gold Rush Golden Dawn Redwood is very easy to grow in a consistently moist, humusy soil and full to mostly sun. Maintenance is minimal to none…just plant and watch it grow. That said, though it will tolerate dry periods it appreciates and performs its best in a consistently moist soil. Pruning isn’t necessary, however selective pruning for shaping purposes or to remove lower branches is fine. Avoid pruning in the spring when the tree is emerging from dormancy. Prune in late winter.