1.2" Rare Fossil Pistillate Cone Metasequoia Dawn Redwood Oligocene Age MT COA
Location: Muddy Creek Formation, Beaverhead County, Montana
Weight: 1.6 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.9 Inches Long, 2.2 Inches Wide, 0.7 Inches Thick (Plate)
Cone And Stem Dimensions: 1.2 Inches Long, 0.6 Inches Wide
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) is a unique example of a living fossil, with origins dating back to the age of dinosaurs. Fossil records show that Metasequoia was once a major component of prehistoric forests in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Believed extinct for millions of years, it was known only from fossils until 1944, when living trees were discovered in central China, transforming it into one of the most famous botanical rediscoveries. Fossil and living Metasequoia trees are deciduous conifers, shedding needles annually—a rare adaptation among ancient conifers.
Today’s Dawn Redwoods are fast-growing, ornamental trees that can reach 120 feet, with a graceful pyramidal shape. Fossil specimens serve as a window into prehistoric forests, offering insights into ancient climates, plant evolution, and the continuity of life through geological time. Ideal for fossil collectors, museums, and educators, Metasequoia fossils connect prehistoric ecosystems to modern landscapes, highlighting the resilience and longevity of this extraordinary genus.
