Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
A deciduous conifer of Southern swamps that drops its soft, feathery needles each fall, hence 'bald.' In wet ground it produces distinctive woody 'knees' from the roots. Despite its swamp reputation it adapts well to ordinary, even compacted, urban soils and is an excellent tough street tree.
Field reference
Family
Cupressaceae
Growth rate
Moderate
Mature size
50–70 ft tall, 20–30 ft spread
Hardiness zone
4–9
Soil preference
Wet to swampy soils, but also surprisingly drought tolerant once established
Sun
Full sun
Pruning window
Late winter (dormant)
Wood properties
Lightweight, decay-resistant softwood (~0.42 SG) — 'wood eternal' for its rot resistance. Strong, straight, tapered trunk; sound limbs rig cleanly.
Native range
Southeastern United States, Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains and Mississippi Valley
Green weight
51 lb/ft³
Pests & diseases to watch
Common questions
Is bald cypress evergreen?
No — it is a deciduous conifer. The flat, soft needles turn russet-orange and drop every autumn, then re-flush in spring, which often surprises homeowners who think it has died.
Will it grow 'knees' in my yard?
Knees form mainly in wet or flooded soils. In ordinary, well-drained landscape soil, bald cypress usually grows without producing knees that interfere with mowing.
Related species in Cupressaceae
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