Dawn redwood

* Common name: Dawn redwood

* Botanical name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides

* What it is: A large conifer (cone-bearing tree) with flat needles of light green that turn a beautiful russet color in fall before dropping. Rust-colored sinewy bark also is attractive.

* Size: 75 to 100 feet tall, 30 to 40 feet wide

* Where to use: As a specimen in a large open yard or in a back corner where you’ve got at least 30 feet of clear space. Be careful to avoid overhead lines. Full sun. This becomes a big tree.

* Care: Water deeply once a week in lieu of rain for the first two years to establish. Remove lower limbs as the tree grows to expose the interesting trunk. Annual spring fertilizing with Holly-tone is optional. Don’t panic when needles drop in fall… it’s supposed to do that.

* Great partner: Underplant with colony of dwarf Virginia sweetspire ‘Little Henry’ or ring with deutzia ‘Nikko.’