Mexican Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum var. mexicanum

Montezuma bald cypress is a deciduous, needle-leaved tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae) with a tall, straight trunk and a broad crown of spreading branches and drooping twigs. It is native to Mexico and the national tree of that country. This tree typically grows to 36 to 72 feet in height and 20 to 40 feet in width. However, the examples 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 genus name, Taxodium, is Greek and means "yew-like." The epithet, distichum, means 'two-ranked," meaning the leaves grow in two rows. The varietal epithet is Latin for “Mexican.”

Montezuma bald cypress prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained, acidic soil but can grow in a range of soil types including standing water.  This species has been known to tolerate even flooded conditions for extended periods of time. It is also drought-tolerant. Propagate it by seed. 

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. A cone-bearing plant, seeds are released upon cone ripening and germinate as soon as moisture conditions permit. There is a weeping form.

Where there is sufficient space, Montezuma bald cypress is a good street tree. It also serves as a striking specimen in a lawn or naturalized area or near a pond or river. Placing it in a rain or water garden would also be ideal. 

Insects, 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.

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

More information on Taxodium distichum.