Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood)

Common Name: Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, more commonly known as the Dawn Redwood, is critically endangered in the wild. It only naturally exists in a couple of places in China, namely Hubei and Szechuan. It was discovered in the wild in 1946 after being considered extinct for 5 million years. Another expedition, in 1947, brought seeds back which were distributed in Europe and America. There is a famous tree in Cambridge Museums Botanical Gardens. Planted in 1949, it now over 30m tall. It has since been planted all around the UK - the picture above was taken in a graveyard in Wolverhampton.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.