I have collected cones as they open, harvested seeds, stratified for 30 days, with excellent germination. The cones are similar to Sequoia sempervirens, ovoid, egg-shaped, Р’С• to 11/4РІР‚Сњ long, with 14 to 28 scales, maturing in autumn and opening to shed the small, light brown, winged seeds. New, smaller statured cultivars are available which counters the size argument. However, this is a great asset for parks, campuses, golf courses, and commercial grounds. If there is an Achilles heel to use in contemporary landscapes, it would center on size. I noted branch dieback on a tree at the University of Maine, Orono (zone 4). Hardness is listed at zone 5 to 8, which is reasonably accurate. distichum, develops chlorosis on high ph soils. I have not observed chlorosis on the species whereas, T. Trees are wind-firm and resistant to breakage. Growth is fast, easily 2 to 3РІР‚в„ў per year, for the first 10 years, if provided reasonable care. The species is surprisingly well suited to drier soils once established. Netherlands, I observed an entire street planted with Metasequoia. Extremely tolerant of excess moisture and I observed trees in standing water. Excellent tree along streams and in moist soil areas.

Single specimens, grouping and groves inspire. Tree bark glows rich saturated orange-red in the late afternoon winter sun. Though deciduous, the unique branching and bark characteristics provide exquisite winter beauty. The bark is beautiful, rich reddish brown, slightly shedding in thin strips, the trunk with cavities under each branch attachment. The opposite arrangement permits easy separation from Taxodium distichum, common baldcypress, with alternate branches and buds. The needle-bearing branches, oppositely arranged, abscise in toto in fall. Habit is soft, feathery, conical pyramidal, the needles bright green, turning rusty orange to brown in autumn. Considering the narrow gene base (diversity), many unique cultivars have resulted from the original introduction (see cultivars) This is a large tree, easily 70РІР‚в„ў by 30РІР‚в„ў at maturity. Louis, houses many of the original seedlings and introduced ShawРІР‚в„ўs LegacyРІвЂћСћ (РІР‚ВPeter RavenРІР‚в„ў, notable because of the denser conical pyramidal habit and darker green needles.

Seeds and seedlings were distributed to many public gardens and universities with trees now over 100РІР‚в„ў. The species, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, was considered extinct until rediscovered in the 1940s in China and reintroduced via the efforts of the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. DirrРІР‚в„ўs Tree Spotlight September 18th, 2017 Sow chitted seeds and return balance to pretreatment until no more seeds germinate.Dr. At suitable intervals, remove chitted seeds (by hand, flotation, and/or sieving).

Inspect the pretreating seed regularly.

10% of seed is chitted, with the hope that this is indicative that the remaining seeds are now close to germination.

Adhere to the pretreatment duration in bold, with the knowledge that the maximum potential germination of the seedlot may be sacrificed for the sake of simplicity.

There are three potential courses of action: 10% moisture content & -10РІВРЉ Pre-treatment methodР”Р‡igures in brackets indicate that different seedlots often require different pretreatment durations. (?) - indicates storage characteristics are not yet fully understood.Р”Р„ Maximum advisable storage c. Recalcitrant - seeds that cannot be dried or frozen and are therefore short-lived. Orthodox - seeds that can be dried without harm, and once dried can be frozen, stored for years with little deterioration and relatively easily revived. They deteriorate more quickly than 'orthodox' seeds but more slowly then 'recalcitrant' seeds. Intermediate - seeds that can only be partially dried or need very slow, careful drying.

Generally effective, a significant proportion of live seeds should germinateР”Р„pproximate date to initiate artificial pre-treatment (for 1 March sowing) 18 January Storage characteristics See pretreatment of shallowly dormant species Efficacy of pretreatment / remarks Intermediate (?) a Storage moisture content and temperature

Metasequoia seedling