Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 4a |
|---|---|
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | pyramidal |
| Mature height | 70 feet |
| Spread | 30 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun |
| Moisture requirements | dry to wet |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Baldcypress
Botanical name: Taxodium distichum
An interesting tall, pyramidal deciduous conifer characteristic of the South but actually quite hardy; narrow bright green leaves turn golden brown in fall, a broad trunk and odd knee-like protrusions at the base when grown in standing water; adaptable.
Ornamental Features
Baldcypress has emerald green foliage throughout the season. The ferny bipinnately compound leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant. The shaggy indian red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Baldcypress is a deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Baldcypress is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Shade, Vertical Accent
Planting and Growing
Baldcypress will grow to be about 70 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.
This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of our region.
