 Medford
has dawn redwood
The dawn redwood tree, the only known close relative of the Sequoia, was thought to have become extinct 20 million years ago until discovered in a hidden valley in China in 1944. Seedlings were planted throughout the Northwest and have thrived. Are there any groves or specimens in this area to observe? Fossil records show it was once native to this area too. -- Glenn P., Medford You don't need to go far to see Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Glenn -- a fine specimen grows in Hawthorne Park near the parking area on Hawthorne Street. There are other places to see the dawn redwood, too. Next time you're driving to the coast, stop at the National Park Service's visitors center in Hiouchi, Calif. The center is just off the highway. The tree, about 20 feet tall, is in front of the building. A plaque identifies it for visitors. The best grove of dawn redwoods is growing at the University of California-Berkeley arboretum, according to a Redwood National Park spokeswoman in Crescent City, Calif. The trees have grown well in the Northwest. However, their habit of shedding needles every year -- the dawn is the only deciduous member of the sequoia family -- has been problematic. Owners, thinking the tree has died, have been too hasty with the chainsaw. If your interest is in the prehistoric, one of the best fossil records around of the dawn redwood is at the John Day Fossil Beds. The dawn redwood thrived all across the United States 34 million to 27 million years ago. One notable exception appears to have been the Siskiyou Mountains region, where no fossil record has been discovered. (Send your questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by fax to (541) 776-4376; or by e-mail to: youasked@mailtribune.com Please include your name, address and phone number for verification.) |
