Pond Cypress Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium
Previously known as:
- Taxodium ascendens
- Phonetic Spelling
- taks-OH-dee-um DIS-tik-um
- Description
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The Pond Cypress is a smaller variety of the Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) and, like Bald Cypress, is a long-lived, pyramidal conifer (cone-bearing) tree. It is slow growing, reaching 35 feet after 20 years, but at maturity, it can reach 70 feet with a 20 foot girth. It has overlapping scale-like leaves up to 1/3 of an inch long and is restricted to the Gulf region of southeastern United States, where it often intergrades with Bald Cypress. Although it looks like a needled evergreen (same family as redwoods) in summer, it is deciduous. It is native to southern swamps, bayous and rivers, and is known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods of time. The roots grow knobby, conical "knees" that rise up from the ground. In the deep South, it is a familiar sight growing directly in swampy water, often in large stands, with its branches heavily draped with Spanish moss. In cultivation, however, it grows very well in drier, upland soils.
In comparison to Bald Cypress, Pond Cypress is somewhat smaller, has appressed, spirally arranged leaves, the root knees are more rounded, and it usually grows on pond margins as opposed to in the water. Some experts consider Pond Cypress to be a different species, namely T. ascendens, or Dwarf Cypress.
The tree grows easily in in average, medium to wet, moisture-retentive but reasonably well-drained soils in full sun. It prefers moist, acidic, sandy soils, but tolerates a wide range of soil conditions ranging from average moisture soils to wet soils in standing water. It is a low maintenance tree with easy fall cleanup. It has a large taproot and is slightly salt tolerant.The sapwood is cream-colored while the heartwood is brown.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Well maintained trees have few problems; however, twig blight is an occasional disease pest. Chlorosis often occurs in alkaline soils.
Compare this plant to: Taxodium distichum
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Nutans'
Weeping Pond Cypress; narrow conical cultivar with short, horizontal branching and drooping branchlets. - 'Prairie Sentinel'
- 'Nutans'
- 'Nutans', 'Prairie Sentinel'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Nutans'
Weeping Pond Cypress; narrow conical cultivar with short, horizontal branching and drooping branchlets. - 'Prairie Sentinel'
- 'Nutans'
- 'Nutans', 'Prairie Sentinel'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Taxodium
- Species:
- distichum
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The heavy, straight-grained, rot-resistant wood has been used for a variety of purposes including barrels, railroad ties, and shingles. The tree can provide some flood control in wet areas.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East U.S.A
- Distribution:
- The Gulf region of the Southeastern United States.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds that eat the seeds. Older trees form natural hollows and catamites that are used as cover by wildlife.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Mildly resistant to damage by deer, moderately salt tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Cones are round, wrinkled, 2 inches in diameter, and purplish-green that matures to brown. The scales are thick and irregular. Displays in October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- Non-flowering.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Overlapping scale-like leaves up to 1/3 of an inch long that are terete, rather than flattened. Needles with blue gray bloom; held upright; bright orange fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- The bark is dark red-brown to silver-brown with many thin, vertical ridges.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Horizontal to ascending branching. Grows a number of thick, heavy branches each with numerous small "branchlets" of leaves.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Erosion
- Fire
- Pollution
- Salt
- Wet Soil
