Taxodium distichum

The fall colour of Bald Cypress’s lacy needles is one of its outstanding characteristics. This stately, large conifer is a deciduous ornamental that drops its orange-cinnamon brown needles in the fall; and begins again in the spring with soft, feathery, yellowish-green foliage. Its bark is silvery-grey or brown with long, scaly ridges that peel off in strips. The purplish-green cones are rounded and wrinkled (about 1 inch in diameter); and mature to brown. Over 15 to 25 years Taxodium distichum will grow to 70 feet tall and 45 feet wide. Its pyramidal shape may take longer to give way to a more open canopy.

Bald Cypress, also known as Louisiana Cypress, are long-lived, hardy and tough. They will adapt to a wide range of soil types, whether wet, dry, or swampy. A true champ in the ecosystem, Bald Cypress help prevent erosion, and soak up floodwaters. They also trap pollutants and provide breeding grounds for frogs, toads, and salamanders. Taxodium distichum's heavy, straight-grained, rot-resistant wood has been used for barrels, railroad ties and shingles.