Taxodium disticum

Plant Family

Cupressaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Taxodium disticum

Photo by: FELDER RUSHING

Plant Common Name

Bald Cypress

General Description

A mature bald cypress is a wonderfully regal tree. This tall, upright, deciduous conifer has exquisitely soft, delicate needles that look feathery along its tiered branches. It is naturally distributed in low, moist locations across much of the central and eastern United States. Mature specimens develop a broad pyramidal habit and become very large.

In spring, its bare branches become covered with soft, compound needles that are bright spring green. These darken by summer and turn a gorgeous russet orange-red in fall before they drop. Fallen bald cypress needles create soft natural mulch at the tree bases. Bald cypress has gently peeling bark that’s attractive all season. When growing in standing water or moist areas the roots send up "knees" or vertical root protrusions. These have visual appeal and inspire conversation.

Though associated with wet locations, bald cypress is tremendously adaptable and well-suited to drier locations and even urban sites. It grows best in sunny spots and can tolerate all but the driest, most alkaline soils. Plant it as a lone specimen or clustered in groves on the edges of streams and lakes. It makes a good streetside tree but needs plenty of space for its roots to roam.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 5

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  5 - 11

• Sunset Zone

  2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Tree

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

• Height

  70'-130' / 21.3m - 39.6m (80)

• Width

  20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m

• Bloom Time

  Spring

• Native To

  Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

• Soil Drainage

  Average

• Soil type

  Clay, Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction

• Growth Rate

  Slow

• Water Requirements

  Average Water, Ample Water

• Habit

  Pyramidal

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Insignificant

• Flower Color

  Green, Bronze, Brown

• Fruit Color

  Green, Brown

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green, Lime Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Copper, Bronze

• Bark Color

  Brown, Sienna, Gray

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  Yes

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Fine

• Foliage Sheen

  Matte

• Evergreen

  No

• Showy Bark

  Yes

Special Characteristics

• Bark Texture

  Fissured

• Usage

  Bog Garden, Feature Plant, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  Yes