Sep-timber staff picks

By Chelsea Schuyler

Ever wonder what Friends of Trees staff members think about all day? Well TREES, of course. But which ones?

These guys work with hundreds of different varieties, so what do these experienced tree folk love, and why?

Today’s pick: Dawn Redwood.

Friends of Trees asks Neighborhood Trees Specialist Jesse Batty what his staff pick is:

“Without hesitation I always respond Metasequoia glyptostroboides [Met-uh-see-KWOY-uh glip-toe-stroe-BOY-deez], and not just because its so fun to say! Otherwise known as the Dawn Redwood, this tree has rugged, striking red bark and ‘needles’ that are as soft and intricate as feathers. While most conifers are evergreens, the Dawn Redwood is a deciduous conifer, which means its needles fall off in the fall and reemerge in the spring. This gives the Dawn Redwood a truly prehistoric feel.”

Jesse likes the Dawn Redwood not only for its interesting physical features, but its unique history:

“…the Dawn Redwood had been considered extinct for millions of years. It was rediscovered in rural China in 1944 and seeds were collected by an expedition from the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. This expedition brought these seeds back to the U.S and helped distribute them around the world.”

So if you’ve decided to beautify your street or yard with a tree through the Neighborhood Trees program (excellent decision, you know we’re all behind you) but you don’t know which to choose, maybe the Dawn Redwood could be for you?

“The Dawn Redwood is an excellent choice for a backyard with space or a planting strip of greater than 8.5 feet. After all, how many people can say they have a deciduous conifer in their backyard that was once extinct!”

You can find out how a Dawn Redwood or your own favorite tree would benefit your yard or street by using the Tree Calculator. Think property value, air quality, stormwater runoff, energy costs, and more!

–Chelsea Schuyler is a contributing blogger for Friends of Trees