The trees are deciduous, though the leaves can persist year-round in warm climates. Omissions? Best practice is to water plants deeply once a week to a depth of twelve to eighteen inches to encourage the shallow roots to grow deeper. The smaller pond, or upland, cypress of the southeastern U.S. is usually listed as a variety of the bald cypress (T. distichum, variety imbricatum); however, it is sometimes considered to be a separate species (T. ascendens). The family includes 27–30 genera (17 monotypic), which include the junipers and redwoods, with about 130–140 species in total.They are monoecious, subdioecious or (rarely) dioecious trees and shrubs up to 116 m (381 ft) tall. If grown in a frequently submerged location, the side roots often develop as knees to provide additional support for the tree. ... Related tree is the Red Wood. The bald cypress is a low maintenance tree with easy fall cleanup. Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey. Tree roots can heave and destroy concrete sidewalks and crush or clog buried pipes. The roots grow knobby, conical "knees" that rise up from the ground. As it matures, it develops a coarse wide-spreading head. It’s hard to mistake the bald cypress for any other tree. The taxonomy of the genus Taxodium is contentious; the genus consists of one to three species. It’s a conifer, so its foliage consists of needles, not leaves. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. There, in its native habitat, it displays a peculiar habit of raising conical "knees" from its roots. Different kinds of Taxodium. Cypress trees, the most flood-tolerant of all Florida tree species, grow in areas that are covered in water for longer periods than the surrounding marshlands. Known for having a widely flared trunk base and “knees” protruding from its subsurface roots, the cypress tree is prized for its hardy timber that is naturally resistant to termites and rotting. Before planting a bald cypress tree, note that the trees only thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Given appropriate bald cypress care, these trees can thrive in drier, upland soils. Bald Cypress Image: Mtreasure/Getty This stately conifer was born to survive serious flooding: it thrives in the Louisiana bayous (it's also the state tree). The state tree of Louisiana, bald cypress is native to southern swamps and bayous from Maryland to Texas. Bald cypress, (Taxodium distichum), also called swamp cypress, ornamental and timber conifer (family Cupressaceae) native to swampy areas of southern North America. Bald Cypress Growing. Cypress mulch is made from bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) and pond cypress trees (Taxodium distichum var. They prevent erosion of river banks by soaking up excess water. In the 1700’s Bald Cypress were used to make giant canoes and water pipes. These ecosystems assume differences in response to abiotic and biotic factors. The Bald Cypress is a tall tree with reddish brown bark and soft, needle-shaped leaves which develop a nice auburn colour in autumn before they fall off along with some of the smaller twigs. Douglas firs are popular Christmas trees, and both trees are popular landscape plants. If you want to grow an Italian cypress, first determine if your climate will allow these trees to thrive. Depending on the species chosen, the Cypress Tree may require a variety of different soil components, watering schedules, and daily maintenance. Cypress swamps are communities that are dominated by bald cypress trees. The other piece of bald cypress information to keep in mind involves their longevity. The main trunk is often surrounded by cypress knees.The bark is grayish brown to reddish brown, thin, and fibrous with a stringy texture; it has a vertically, interwoven pattern of shallow ridges and narrow furrows. I came across a source in a bookstore once that gave the height of the “Bald Cypress” as being up too 300 ft. (most texts list in in the mid to upper 100 ft range). Corrections? Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/bald-cypress-species, North Carolina State University - Taxodium distichum, Missouri Botanical Garden - Taxodium distichum, University of Connecticut - Taxodium Distichum, United States Department of Agriculture - Taxodium distichum, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Taxodium distichum. Bald cypress, (Taxodium distichum), also called swamp cypress, ornamental and timber conifer (family Cupressaceae) native to swampy areas of southern North America. U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones, Types Of Cypress Trees: Tips For Growing Cypress Trees, When Do Conifers Shed Needles – Learn Why Conifers Drop Needles, What Is Cypress Mulch: Using Cypress Mulch In Gardens, Red Yucca Information – Growing A Hummingbird Red Yucca Plant, Michigan Planting In April – Plants For Early Spring Gardens, What Is A Martha Washington Geranium – Learn About Martha Washington Geranium Care, Japanese Snowbell Growing: Tips On Japanese Snowbell Tree Care, Zone 4 Invasive Plants – What Are Common Invasive Plants That Thrive In Zone 4, Climbing Hydrangea Won’t Bloom – When Does Climbing Hydrangea Bloom, Zone 3 Hosta Plants: Learn About Planting Hosta In Cold Climates, Win a $500 Gift Card and FREE Garden Design Consultation. The hinoki cypress is really a “false” cypress (while the Cupressus genus is the “real” cypress). The bald cypress (Taxodium spp.) Ideally, the soil should be acidic, moist and sandy. 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