Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum
The Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) tree is also commonly referred to as the bald cypress, swamp cypress, white cypress, red cypress, and golf cypress. It is deciduous that is native to the midwest region of the United States. The bald cypress is a cone-bearing tree that loses its needles every winter and grows new ones in the spring. The needles of the bald cypress have a soft and feathery texture to them. The fruit cone that the cypress produces will remain on the branches into the winter months to provide food to local wildlife. The bald cypress is commonly found in city parks, playgrounds, street medians, and around lakes. The bald cypress is a large tree that can reach heights of up to seventy feet. During the fall months, the lacey needles of the bald cypress turn a deep red color.
Growing your Bald Cypress
While it thrives best in moist and acidic soil conditions, it can grow in nearly all soil conditions, including very dry or even swampy areas. If the pH conditions are high, the bald cypress will suffer from yellowing or show other chlorosis symptoms. The bald cypress trees grow best in full sun, reaching six or more hours of daily exposure. It has a moderate growth rate and maintains a cone shape. The bark of the bald cypress tree is attractive with a fibrous reddish-brown color. While it has limited growing problems, the bald cypress is susceptible to gall-forming mite, spider mite, twig blight, and cypress moths. During the spring months, the bald cypress produces inconspicuous male and female flowers on separate structures on the same tree.
Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum
Hardiness Zones - 4-11
Mature Height - 50-70 feet
Soil Requirements - Acid soil & Wet soil
