Bald Cypress – Taxodium Distichum – 5 Gallon Pot

The Bald Cypress is a beautiful, fast-growing and very easy-to-grow North American native tree. How fast and tall it grows will depend on soil moisture. It thrives equally as well in wet soils as it does in dry soils. In boggy sites with constantly moist or wet soil, even sites with standing water, it grows very quickly and can reach a height from 50 to 70 feet. In drier soils growth rate is somewhat slower and mature height is between 30 to 40 feet. 

The Bald Cypress is admired for it’s soft needle-like leaves that resemble birds feathers. The foliage emerges neon green in spring maturing to a light to medium green during summer and then to attractive orange-bronze in fall. The trunks are flared at the base and, when grown in water or a swamp, interesting knobby roots protrude above the water. Bald Cypress is very heat tolerant, disease-free, and insect resistant. A graceful, soft-textured tree which deserves a spot in every landscape where it will grow. USDA Zones 4a-10b. 

Growing 30 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide, the Bald Cypress tree is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or in single or staggered rows to delineate a property line or line a driveway or street. Highly adaptable, the Bald Cypress will thrive in wet or dry sites so is excellent for use in swampy areas or near lakes, streams, rivers or other bodies of water, and for the Xersicape (low water needs). Perfect for use as a shade tree and when planted on the west side of the home cooling costs will be reduced. A fine addition to native plant gardens and wildlife gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  15 feet apart for screen plantings; 30 to 60 feet or more apart for space between trees, depending on soil moisture

Being a North American native tree, the Bald Cypress is highly adaptable and exceptionally easy to grow in a variety of soil types, including clay, and likes full sun to light shade. It thrives in both dry or wet soils, even standing water. Maintenance is minimal to none. Pruning isn’t necessary, however selective pruning for shaping is tolerated or to remove lower branches is okay. Avoid pruning in the spring when the tree is emerging from dormancy. Prune in late winter.