In fact, they are considered “dwarf” or at least compact, perhaps stunted versions of the type. Albeit, X-478*A and B specimens are not giant trees. And perhaps, as in the case of X-478*A, they may even bear a resemblance to the Ents which are creatures in “The Lord of the Rings” described as giant talking trees. Their fluted trunk boles with exaggerated “armpits” below their scaffold branches do conjure perceptions of what trees might look like in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Yes, Dawn Redwoods, being “living fossils” dating back 90 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period, do lend themselves to an ancient otherworldly appearance. I am not aware of anyone else specifically answering the question either. They live in underground abodes known as “smials” or Hobbit-holes. I was a youngster when I read Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” and obviously forgot that Hobbits don’t live in trees. Why were these two trees given their “Hobbit tree” monikers? I thought the answer was because they look like trees that Hobbits would live in. We do not know when they were planted, how old they are or from whence they came, which obviously contributes greatly to their aura of mystery… Accession numbers beginning with an “X” are those that have no known source and/or propagule type. Their accession numbers X-478*A and B were designated in 1991 based on their obscure origins. Specimen “A” is located at the NE base of Honeysuckle Hill, just off the Arboretum loop trail and specimen “B” is in the north Pinetum (Conifer Meadow) at the north end of the Pinetum loop trail. “Hobbit trees”, continue to baffle and impress those who are familiar with these two unique Arboretum Dawn Redwoods of compact size and hobbit, sorry…habit. The mysterious case of X-478*A and B, a.k.a. Twitter Facebook Pinterest Email April 2021 Plant Profile: Metasequoia glyptostroboides, aka Hobbit trees Metasequoia glyptostroboides Specimen “A”
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