Gold Rush Dawn Redwood

Gold Rush Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush')

Gold Rush Dawn Redwood brings the soft, feathery texture of dawn redwood to the landscape, with bright golden foliage that lights up large plantings from spring through summer. It grows quickly into a tall, elegant tree, giving you height, shade, and a strong vertical presence in a relatively short time. The fine needles create an airy canopy that cools the space without making it feel dark, so lawns and garden beds stay inviting underneath. In fall, the foliage shifts to warm coppery tones before dropping cleanly for winter, adding another season of interest.

Distinctive Features

This deciduous conifer forms a strong central leader and a refined pyramidal shape, then becomes broader and more stately with age. 'Gold Rush' stands out for its bright yellow to golden-green foliage, with the strongest color typically in full sun, creating contrast against darker evergreens and deep green summer plantings. The soft, fern-like needles and fast growth make it a natural choice when you want a large shade tree with lighter texture and reliable seasonal change.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for best growth and strongest golden color.
• Soil: Adaptable to many soils, including moist soils, but it performs best in evenly moist, well-drained ground.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment, then provide consistent moisture, especially during hot or dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 5 to 8.
• Deer: Deer may browse young growth, so protect young trees where pressure is high.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point in large landscapes where its golden canopy and tall form can be appreciated from a distance.
• Shade Tree: Develops into a tall, airy shade tree that cools outdoor spaces without creating heavy darkness.
• Screening: Use in rows for tall, seasonal screening where fast growth and vertical presence matter.
• Statement Planting: Anchor open lawn areas, driveways, or property edges with a strong, upright silhouette.
• Moist Sites: Performs well near ponds or low areas where soil moisture is more consistent.

Low Maintenance Care

• Planting: Give plenty of room for mature height and spread, and avoid tight spaces near structures or overhead lines.
• Mulching: Apply a mulch ring to stabilize soil moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch off the trunk.
• Pruning: Prune minimally, removing only dead or damaged branches, since the tree naturally maintains a strong form.
• Watering: Deep water consistently during the first two seasons and during drought to support rapid, healthy growth.
• Site Selection: Choose full sun and adequate moisture to keep foliage full and color at its best.

Why Choose Gold Rush Dawn Redwood?

• Golden Foliage: Bright needles add warm color and strong contrast in large landscape plantings.
• Fast Growth: Builds height and presence quickly, making it useful for shade and screening.
• Airy Texture: Feathery foliage creates a light canopy that feels refined and usable beneath.
• Seasonal Change: Coppery fall color and clean winter drop keep the look fresh year-round.
• Bold Scale: A true landscape tree that brings structure and a sense of place to open areas.

If you have space for a big statement tree with brighter color, Gold Rush Dawn Redwood is an excellent choice. It delivers speed, soft texture, and a golden canopy that helps large landscapes feel more intentional from spring through fall.