Taxodium distichum
Taxodium distichum
Taxodium distichum, commonly called bald cypress, is a long-lived, pyramidal conifer which grows 50-70' tall. Although it looks like a needled evergreen (same family as redwoods) in summer, it is deciduous ("bald" as the common name suggests). Trunks are buttressed (flared or fluted) at the base, and when growing in water, often develop distinctive, knobby root growths ("knees") which protrude above the water surface around the tree. Soft, feathery, yellowish-green foliage turns an attractive orange/cinnamon-brown in fall. Heavy, straight-grained, rot-resistant wood has been used for a variety of purposes including barrels, railroad ties and shingles.
Care:
Easily grown in average, medium to wet, moisture retentive but reasonably well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers moist, acidic, sandy soils, but tolerates a wide range of soil conditions ranging from somewhat dry soils to wet soils in standing water.
Type: Tree
Family: Cupressaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 50.00 to 70.00 feet
Spread: 20.00 to 45.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Brown
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Leaf: Good Fall
Attracts: Birds
Fruit: Showy
Tolerate: Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil, Air Pollution