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| Taxodium distichum
Common baldcypressCulture: Culture: This species occurs natively in low elevation swamps and along riverbanks, with acidic soils. It should be grown in full sun to partial shade and is relatively easy to transplant balled and burlapped. Although it prefers moist to wet soils, it will tolerate a variety of conditions including average dry sites with acidic to neutral soils. When grown in near proximity to water, the trees develop cypress knees that begin a few inches in height gradually increasing over the years to 3-6' high. They can resemble a corps of gnomes around the edge of the water. At one time these knees were thought to play a role in gas exchange, but they are now believed to only provide support for the tree in the soft soils of swamps and riverbanks. Cypress knees do not occur on specimens growing on drier soil. Common baldcypress may suffer from spider mite, gall-forming mite, cypress moth, twig blight and wood decay. Iron chlorosis or leaf yellowing will occur on alkaline soils or neutral soils if the site is too dry. Usage: A very attractive and formal tree in the landscape, it can be used as a specimen tree in lawns, next to ponds or in group plantings to provide a screen. It prefers moist locations and will not reach maximum height if planted in drier locations. A number of good selections are available in the trade. 'Mickelson' (trademarked Shawnee Brave) is a mite-resistant narrower form and 'Apace Chief' is a wider form. |
