Bald Cypress, Taxodium disticum

Comments: A spectacular, fern-like tree. The lacy foliage and fall color make bald cypress a highly prized landscape plant.  Far more adaptable than generally realized.  Is very intolerant of shade and must be planted where all parts of the plant receive full sun for good development.

Grows profusely in a wide range of soil types: heavy clay, silt or muck.  Will grow quite rapidly with fertilization as long as adequate moisture is present, either surface or subsoil. Does well around ponds, water features or seepy areas in almost any location.  Will tolerate short dry periods without difficulty.  May shed its foliage and appear to be dead during a long drought; however, rarely is the tree severely damaged.

Size: 40-60 ft. tall with variable spread.

Growth Rate: Moderate to rapid.

Bark: Light green at first, bark develops a cinnamon brown color by the end of the second or third season.  Fairly smooth, yet finely divided into vertical strips separated by shallow  furrows.

Leaves: Needle-like, 1/2-1 inch long, very delicate, arranged in two ranks in a feather-like fashion along very small branchlets.   Medium green.  Leaves are flat with pointed tips.  In the fall the entire branchlet consisting of many leaves drops as one unit.  Deciduous by twigs instead of by leaves.

Fall Color: Coppery bronze.

Flower: Not showy.

Fruit: Globe-shaped woody cone about 1 - 1 1/2 inch diameter with thick irregular scales containing seeds.

Pests: None serious.

Cultivars: None.