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

The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) is one of the most remarkable living fossil trees, with a lineage dating back to the age of dinosaurs. Fossil specimens reveal that Metasequoia once thrived in vast prehistoric forests across Asia, Europe, and North America, forming dense, humid woodland ecosystems. These ancient forests were dominated by deciduous conifers, providing vital habitats for dinosaurs and other prehistoric flora and fauna.

For millions of years, the genus was known only from fossilized leaves, cones, and wood, earning it the nickname “fossil tree.” That perception changed in 1944, when living Dawn Redwoods were discovered in central China, confirming that this prehistoric genus had survived dramatic climate changes and geological events. Both fossil and modern trees share the unique trait of being deciduous conifers, shedding needles seasonally—a rarity among ancient cone-bearing trees.

Today, Dawn Redwoods grow rapidly into tall, straight-trunked trees with elegant pyramidal crowns, reaching heights of up to 120 feet. Fossil specimens provide an invaluable glimpse into prehistoric forests, plant evolution, and ancient ecosystems, making them highly prized by fossil collectors, educators, paleobotany enthusiasts, and museums. Metasequoia fossils offer a tangible connection to Earth’s deep botanical history.