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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database < Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress has the distinction of being one of our few deciduous conifers. From spring to fall, its feathery, needle-like foliage goes through a series of exquisite color transformations, changing from dazzling golden green in early spring to soft green in summer to brilliant shades of copper and fox red in fall. By December the leaves will have been shed completely, but the heavily buttressed trunks and lovely reddish shredding bark provide plenty of winter interest.
Though bald cypress is usually found in swampy areas in the wild, it performs just as well in ordinary garden soils. In fact, bald cypress grows much faster in moist, well-drained soils than it does in the soggy soils of its native habitat. The only negative is, trees growing on well-drained sites won’t develop the interesting "knees" that wet-grown trees do. The fine texture of bald cypress’s foliage and the lovely light shade it casts are welcome additions to any landscape.
Taxodiaceae (Bald Cypress Family)
Large deciduous conifer with feathery, needle-like foliage. Male flowers appear in early spring in 6" purplish catkins. Inconspicuous female flowers are present at the same time, followed by 1" round green cones. Fall color is a rich orange-brown. Bark is reddish-brown and shredding. Trunks are strongly buttressed in wet areas.
50 to 100’ high, 20 to 30’ wide.
Trunks are long, straight, and often heavily buttressed at the base. Short, horizontal branches form a slender, conical crown.
Trees grow slowly in their native swampy habitat. Growth is much faster in moist, well-drained soils.
Full sun to part shade.
For best results, transplant small, young trees into rich, high organic matter, acidic or alkaline soil. Water well until establishment. Once established, trees are highly adaptable and will tolerate wet, dry, or well-drained conditions.
Assets include bright yellow-green spring foliage, beautifully buttressed trunks, reddish-brown shredding bark, and coppery orange fall color.
Plant in groups or as a single specimen.
Seeds are eaten by a variety of waterfowl and marsh birds. Eagles, ospreys, herons, anhingas, and cormorants often nest in the branches.
Found in swamps and along rivers, lakes, and stream banks throughout the Coastal Plain.
Soak seed in ethyl alcohol for 5 minutes, then cold stratify 3 months. Grafting.
Written by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation
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Bald Cypress
