Mexican Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum var. mexicanum

The Mexican Swamp Cypress is a large, needle-leaf, evergreen, aquatic tree with a tall, straight trunk and a broad crown of spreading branches and drooping twigs. The trunk is often enlarged at the base with ridges and sometimes small "knees" project from submerged roots (although the "knees" are more rare on this cypress). The Mexican Swamp Cypress is the national tree of Mexico and is closely related to the Bald Cypress of the southeastern United States, The Mexican Swamp Cypress found in Chapultepec Park, Mexico City, are taller, reaching 165 feet, and are among the oldest cultivated trees in the New World, perhaps exceeding 600 years.

The Mexican Swamp Cypress is a good street tree that tolerates wet sites. In natural settings, it is often found in swamps, streams, and river banks at sea level. It has broadly spreading branches, slightly bowed, with long, arching shoots. It prefers sun to partial shade and can grow in a range of soil types including damp soil.  It is also drought tolerant.  This species has been known to tolerate flooded conditions for extended periods of time. It is faster growing than Bald Cypress in good conditions and semi-deciduous in winter. A cone bearing plant, seeds are released upon cone ripening and germinate as soon as moisture conditions permit. There is a weeping form.

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

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

When well-maintained, cypress trees tend to have few insect or disease problems. Could suffer winter damage in Central Texas northward.

More information on Taxodium distichum.