Taxodium distichum

Photo by Shirley Denton. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 8A 8B 9A 9B 

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Bald Cypress

Cupressaceae

Plant Specifics

Size:50 - 75 ft tall by 30-45 ft wide
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Fruit Color:Brown
Phenology:Deciduous. Very long-lived possibly exceeding 1000 yrs (Nelson 2003).
Habitats:Riverine swamps, large swamps around lakes. Inundated areas associated with some form of flowing water. Floodplains, sloughs, strands. May be associated with a longer fire return interval than T. ascendens.

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Can be used as a specimen tree, planted in floodplain areas, or planted in relatively moist uplands. Large rain gardens and bioswales. Tolerant of root disturbance, so a candidate for use as a street/parking lot tree.
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
Moisture Tolerance: Stays Wet ----- to ----- Somewhat moist, no flooding
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray Tolerance:Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil/Substrate:Pond, lake, or stream bottom, Clay, Loam, Organic material (muck), Sand

Wildlife

birdanimalcaterpillar

Attracts seed-eating birds. Valuable as roosting and nesting areas for colonial wading birds. 

Larval host for baldcypress sphinx (Isoparce cupressi) moth.