Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
ConiferAbout Bald Cypress
Bald Cypress is a long-lived deciduous conifer native to swamps and floodplains of the southeastern United States. Despite being a conifer, it drops its needles each fall. It is known for its distinctive 'knees' -- woody projections that emerge from the root system near water -- and its buttressed trunk base.
Quick Facts
How to Identify Bald Cypress
- Feathery, flat needles arranged in two rows, turning russet-brown in fall
- Fibrous, reddish-brown bark with vertical strips
- Woody 'knees' protrude from roots in wet sites
- Buttressed, flared trunk base
- Round, golf-ball-sized cones
Care Guide
- Water generously during establishment; once established, very drought-tolerant
- Minimal pruning needed; remove dead wood in late winter
- Excellent choice for wet sites where other trees struggle
- No serious pest or disease problems
- Avoid alkaline soils, which can cause chlorosis
Known Issues (0)
No known health issues currently reported for Bald Cypress.
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