Taxodium distichum Play pronunciation

Bald cypress is a deciduous, perennial tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae) and native to eastern North America, from Delaware to Florida and west to Texas and Mexico. It is a pyramidal, needled conifer that grows 50 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide and is commonly found in swamps, bayous and rivers, primarily in coastal areas. The genus name, Taxodium, is Greek and means "yew-like." The epithet, distichum, means “two-ranked," meaning the leaves grow in two rows, on opposite sides of the twigs.

Bald cypress grows easily in full sun to partial shade and moist but well-drained soils. However, it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including standing water. This species has been known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods. The bald cypress is a low-maintenance tree and resistant to deer, erosion, fire, pollution, salt, wind and storm damage. Propagate it by seed. 

Old trees develop a wide, spreading base that narrows up the trunk with diameters as thick as 3 to 6 feet. A younger tree typically has a pyramidal habit; however, older specimens have an irregular flat top. It is one of the longest-living trees in the world, and its rings hold decades of climate data. Although it looks like a needled evergreen in summer, it is deciduous or "bald" as the common name suggests. The roots develop knobby, conical "knees" or "cypress knees" that usually occur when the tree is grown near or in water. The knees are believed to help bring oxygen down to the roots in the oxygen-poor mud. Exfoliating reddish-brown long narrow strips of bark are noted on younger trees, but older trees tend to peel much less. The heavy, straight-grained, rot-resistant wood has been used for various purposes, including barrels, railroad ties, and shingles. 

Use bald cypress as a specimen or shade tree near a pond or in a riparian or recreational play area. It also makes a wonderful addition to a children’s, native or rain garden. 

Quick ID Hints:

• Deciduous, conifer, 50 to 70 feet tall with a pyramidal habit. 
• Narrow, long strips of reddish-brown exfoliating bark on younger trees.
• Widened base of the tree with age.
• Leaves are narrow, flat, alternate, two-ranked and spirally arranged but appearing to be in one plane.
• Male cones are long pendulous, 1/8 inch wide, yellow to brown and appear in clusters.
• Female cones are round, glaucous green to brown and appear on short stalks.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Twig blight is an occasional disease pest. Chlorosis often occurs in alkaline soils.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.