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The Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland, along with its counterpart, the McCrillis Gardens, show that Metasequoias grow very well in the Washington, D.C. area. Both gardens are part of Maryland's Montgomery County Park system. This 50 acre garden in Wheaton is part of the Wheaton Regional Park, and features many unique and noteworthy plants. Specific areas within the park include azalea, rose, children’s, fragrance, and Japanese gardens. Metasequoias have grown very successfully in this area, because the climate is suitable to Metasequoias. The D.C. metro area is unique because it is where three different ecosystems merge: the Eastern broadleaf oceanic forest, the Outer coastal plain region, and the Southern mixed forest. This indicates that it is a particularly temperate area. Brookside is on the border between Hardiness Zones 6 and 7. Winds and precipitation are average, and the dominant soil types are Inceptisols and Ultisols. |
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The Brookside Gardens has two Metasequoias that have grown very well. One was donated by a citizen in Mt. Rainer, Maryland and planted in 1968. At only 38 years old, the tree is already 80 feet tall with a base that is 33 inches in diameter. But even more notably, the Brookside received another seedling from the Behnke Nursery in 1972, and this tree has grown to a height of 90 feet with a base that is 33 inches in diameter! Such growth in only 34 years is incredibly impressive. It is one of the fastest growing trees in the country. Both of these trees were received when they were already 14’ tall, which means they are slightly older than their planting date at the Brookside, but they have still grown significantly. If you are in or live in the Washington, D.C. area, your best bet for impressive Metasequoias is likely the Brookside, and McCrillis gardens, which is in neighboring Bethesda. While the National Arboretum is always a neat visit, if you want to see some quality Metasequoias make sure to check out Montgomery County in Maryland. Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallen Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902 |
Data courtesy Brookside Gardens
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