Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Aka: Swamp Cypress, Red Cypress
Native to: Swampy areas of the southeastern United States
Lighting requirements: Full sun
Height: 50-100'
Width: 20-30'
Winter: Drops leaves
Seasonal interest: Red/orange fall color
Drought tolerance: Tolerates seasonal droughts, but may drop leaves
Hardiness Zones: 5-11
Soil requirements: Prefers moist soils
pH range: Prefers acidic soils with a pH <6.8
Notes: Develops knobby above-ground knees. Commonly used around swamps and rivers.
Bald Cypress knees
Bald Cypress trees produce growths known as "knees," which are outgrowths of their horizontal roots. You can cut these knees without harming the tree. This is one of the reasons I would think twice before planting a Bald Cypress in my yard. In contrast, the Montezuma Cypress does not grow knees, but it is very similar to the Bald Cypress.Â