1.1" Detailed Fossil Plant Leafs Metasequoia Dawn Redwood Oligocene Age MT COA

The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) is one of the most extraordinary fossil tree genera ever discovered, with origins tracing back more than 100 million years to the dinosaur era. Closely related to modern redwood trees, Metasequoia once formed vast forests across Asia, Europe, and North America and was a dominant feature of prehistoric landscapes.

For much of modern history, Metasequoia was known only from fossil remains and believed to be extinct, earning it the reputation of a true living fossil. This perception changed dramatically in 1944, when living trees were discovered in central China, confirming that this ancient conifer lineage had survived major climatic and geological changes.

Unlike most conifers, the Dawn Redwood is deciduous, shedding its needles seasonally—a trait preserved from its prehistoric ancestors. Today, Metasequoia is a fast-growing ornamental tree with a symmetrical pyramidal form, capable of reaching 120 feet in height. A Metasequoia fossil specimen is highly valued by fossil collectors, paleobotanists, educators, and museums, offering a tangible connection between ancient forests and living ecosystems and highlighting one of the most remarkable botanical survivals in Earth’s history.