The Dawn Redwood trees were prolific in the Oligocene Era, until they went extinct. It wasn’t until 1948, several trees of this species were found in Central China. The Dawn Redwoods have been restored and can now be found throughout most large nurseries. This particular fossil was found in Montana. The Redwood tree grows rapidly in their native habitat, sometimes reaching up to 100 feet tall. Growth will occur in a moisture rich environment, however it can tolerate dry soils. The trees will drop their needles each Fall and regrow them in the Spring, a symbol of an eternal renewal. The discovery of a “living fossil” was one of the greatest discoveries for Botany in the 20^th century and this tree still remains the only living species in its genus. The Dawn Redwood had become known as a popular ornamental tree, found in various parks throughout several countries in the United States.