Baldcypress
Growing arrow-straight into a svelte pyramidal shape, the noble Baldcypress tree (or “Bald Cypress” tree) will stand like a sentinel in your landscape, tall and proud. This regal specimen tree is very approachable, however, with “needles” that are as soft as a kitten. Unusual for a conifer, its foliage falls in late autumn, revealing stringy reddish-gray bark that will be a pleasant sight outside your window in winter. Before the leaves drop, however, they turn shades of copper and bronze. Take advantage of this fact by siting Baldcypress so that the afternoon sun shines through its needles, and this tree will give off a bright, warm coppery-orange glow to lift your spirits on those chilly late fall days.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-10
- Spacing: 25-30'
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Show more ›
The Story
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina local fisherman found a site off the coast of Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico that was swarming with fish and suspected that there was something “big” underwater. Thinking it was a ship this remained a guarded secret to prevent scuba divers from taking valuable artifacts. Finally in 2012 after being sworn to secrecy Ben Raines was given the secret location from a friend who owned a bait shop. What Raines discovered was an ancient underwater Bald Cypress swamp in pristine condition that was most likely uncovered by hurricane Katrina in 2005. Raines described the experience like this, “Swimming around amidst these stumps and logs, you feel like you’re in this fairy world” After 50,000 years these trees were so well preserved that when cut into them you can still smell fresh Cypress sap. The forest has become an artificial reef, attracting a variety of marine life and for that reason this treasure has a time limit. Scientists estimate that they have about 2 years to study these trees before wood-burrowing marine animals destroy them.
The Details
Bald is Beautiful! Taxodium is one of a few conifers providing shade in summer and lets the sun shine through in the winter. This tree actually loses all of its needles in fall. Soft, fine textured, green needles drop off to showcase the outstanding reddish-brown bark in winter adding yet another unique feature to your winter garden. An impressive pyramidal shape forming a very stately tree for your landscape.
How to Grow
Believe it or not, this is the same Baldcypress that grows in the swamps down South and forms “knees” that seem to rise from the water and surround the base of the tree. The Baldcypress will not form “knees” when grown up North and they don’t need swamp conditions to survive. They like full sun and actually tolerate a very wide range of soil conditions. The Baldcypress is a deciduous conifer, meaning that it loses its needles every winter exposing its reddish brown bark. It has no insect problems and requires relatively low maintenance, it’s a “plant it and forget it” type of tree.
More Info
Size Guide
Scale
Size B
Size C
This graphic shows the approximate size and form of the Tree you are viewing.
Size B Trees:
6-8' tall. Grown and shipped in our #15 tree container. Lower limbs removed to about 3' to expose the attractive bark. Stem caliper over 1 1/2".
Size C Trees:
8-10' Tall. Shipped in our #20 or #25 tree container. This tree is large and impactful on your landscape.
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