Belfast Botanic Gardens Tree Archive

This is one of a series of short articles about trees in the Belfast Botanic Gardens compiled by the Friends group. The tree tag number relates to the black tree maintenance tags, usually fixed on the tree trunk, 2 to 3m above ground level.

Family: Cupressaceae

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & W.C.Cheng 'Gold Rush'
Golden dawn redwood

Black tag 415
54^o 34.897N
5^o 55.798W

This golden-leaved form of the dawn redwood was introduced to the UK in 2000. It is said to be somewhat slower growing than the species, but still can achieve 20ft in 10 years. Its ultimate height is likely to be 100ft (30m). Details of this interesting tree species are given in our web page on the typical green species of which the Botanic gardens has several fine specimens. The golden form is beside the gate leading to the PEC.


Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush' in Belfast Botanic Gardens	Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush' leaves

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Gold Rush' leaves compared to those of the species

Photos taken in Belfast Botanic Gardens in 2013. Copyright: Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.

Click here to view the rest of the tree archive