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

Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) Fossil – Ancient Conifer from Dinosaur-Era Forests
The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) is a rare example of a plant lineage that has survived nearly unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs. Fossil records show that this deciduous conifer once dominated vast prehistoric forests across Asia, Europe, and North America, flourishing in warm, moisture-rich climates millions of years ago.

For much of the 20th century, Metasequoia was known only through fossil specimens and was believed to have vanished long ago. The discovery of living trees in central China in 1944 stunned the scientific world and transformed Metasequoia into one of the most famous living fossils ever identified. This extraordinary rediscovery provided direct confirmation of traits observed in fossils, including its deciduous needle habit.

Modern Dawn Redwoods grow rapidly and develop an elegant pyramidal form, reaching heights of up to 120 feet. A Metasequoia fossil is prized by collectors, paleobotany enthusiasts, educators, and museums, offering a powerful connection between prehistoric forests and living trees, and illustrating the resilience and continuity of life through deep geological time.