Bald Cypress

Description

Taxodium distichum

Grows along rivers, streams, and slow moving water, but is easily grown in dry areas and as a street tree. The Bald Cypress can live up to 600 years old and are extremely important to the Southern ecosystem. In its early years, the tree has a pyramid shaped canopy, but eventually grows to a flat top. Growth rates are faster on moist, well drained soil and can grow up to 3 feet per year. Leaves are bright green and needle-like, resembling a fern during the Spring and Summer. Leaves turn coppery –red in the fall before falling off. Small cones develop and attract small wildlife. During the Winter the coppery colored bark peels off in long strips. Low maintenance.