A couple of years ago, I decided to check out the fabulous Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Gardens, and among its flora, a couple of trees caught my attention. Those redwoods are fairly tall, up to 15 metres, and have reddish-brown bark. I knew they had to be redwoods because of their leaves. Also, the trunk and branches were light/medium brown with a hint of red, with a smooth/grooved appearance. Both of these trees in question are by and near the east entrance of the gardens, from what I can remember. Given the appearence of their leaves and the size of the trees themselves, they should be fairly easy to spot. Unfortunately, I did not take photos of them, nor have I been able to return to the gardens for a closer look (too little time every time I go to Vancouver) and am kind of kicking myself for this. I just want to confirm that they are indeed *dawn* redwoods and not coast redwoods or even bald cypresses (they're surprisingly similar in foliage, or so I have read). I made that visit in the summer, so obviously, I couldn't tell if these trees would have their leaves turn color and shed them in the fall like tamaracks and bald cypresses do. This is an important difference there. Dawn redwoods, unlike their giant California counterparts, shed their leaves in the fall. I also wonder how common they'd be in Vancouver as planted trees in people's yards, parks, etc. The climate there's obviously not a barrier. If they are indeed dawn redwoods, then that'd make perfect sense because they were originally discovered as a living species in China in 1947. It is a true living fossil tree. Like the ginkgo tree, it began to appear during the time of the dinosaurs and had a very widespread distribution across North America, Europe and Asia until about 2-3 million years ago. For that reason, I find the dawn redwood very interesting.
It might be a little while before I get out that way, but I suspect you are right in your identification if memory serves correctly. They are not a common plant in the Vancouver landscape, though we've two groupings of them at UBC. I always admire the row of trees on Kerr Street south of 41st Ave.
Does anyone know exactly where in UBC one can find dawn redwoods growing? I also seem to remember Cambie St in the City of Vancouver having a few dawn redwoods as well, but can't remember exactly where.
They are just south of 30th or 33rd (you can see them from the southbound left turn lane leading into the Arboretum) on the Cambie Boulevard. Ralph
At UBC, you can see them here at the garden. There is a row of trees planted right near the entrance (can be seen from the end of the boardwalk), as well as a small grove planted at the far end of the cattail pond near the edge of the Winter Garden.
