A mature bald cypress is a wonderfully regal tree. This tall, upright, deciduous conifer has exquisitely soft, delicate needles that look feathery along its tiered branches. It is naturally distributed in low, moist locations across much of the central and eastern United States. Mature specimens develop a broad pyramidal habit and become very large.
In spring, its bare branches become covered with soft, compound needles that are bright spring green. These darken by summer and turn a gorgeous russet orange-red in fall before they drop. Fallen bald cypress needles create soft natural mulch at the tree bases. Bald cypress has gently peeling bark that’s attractive all season. When growing in standing water or moist areas the roots send up "knees" or vertical root protrusions. These have visual appeal and inspire conversation.
Though associated with wet locations, bald cypress is tremendously adaptable and well-suited to drier locations and even urban sites. It grows best in sunny spots and can tolerate all but the driest, most alkaline soils. Plant it as a lone specimen or clustered in groves on the edges of streams and lakes. It makes a good streetside tree but needs plenty of space for its roots to roam.
Information source: Learn2Grow.com
Genus - Taxodium
Species - Distichum
Common name - Bald Cypress Northern
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 8
Height - 70'-130' / 21 - 40(80) m
Spread - 20'-30' / 6 - 9 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Slow
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, Loam, Sand, Wet
Water requirements - Average Water, Ample Water
Landscape uses - Bog Garden, Feature Plant, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Bloom season - Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green, autumn - Copper, Bronze / Green, Bronze, Brown
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Lay the Taxodium seed in a small bowl and cover it with ethyl alcohol. Allow it to soak for five minutes. 2. Place a handful of barely moistened peat moss into a plastic sandwich bag. Push the Taxodium seed into the moss and seal the bag. 3. Set the bag in the refrigerator and allow it to remain for 3 months. 4. Remove the peat moss from the bag and plant the seed in a 1-gallon nursery pot filled with peat-based, moist sowing mix. 5. Place the pot on a heat mat set to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the sowing mix moist and the pot out of direct sun. Plant the Taxodium seedling into the landscape in spring. (source: ehow.com) |