Metasequoia is a genus of coniferous trees known as the dawn redwoods. These trees are native to China and were thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered in the 1940s. They can grow up to 200 feet tall and have a distinctive, straight trunk with soft, needle-like leaves that turn a beautiful reddish-brown in the fall. The Metasequoia glyptostroboides species is the most well-known and is often planted in parks and gardens around the world. These trees thrive in wet, lowland areas and are valued for their rapid growth and resilience. They are also considered a living fossil, providing insight into ancient ecosystems.