Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress, Swamp Cypress)
Michael's Opinion
An excellent but underused plant since it is not widely known and I suspect many think it not hardy since they see it growing in Florida; but so does our Red Maple (Acer rubrum). It has much to offer compared to some of the static evergreens: bark, texture and autumn colour.
Botanical Information
Family | Taxodiaceae |
Genus | Taxodium |
Species | distichum |
Category | Woody |
Type | Tree (deciduous) |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 7b - 8a |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 7 |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H5-H7 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -15 - (-9) |
Temperature (°F) | 5 - 15 |
Growth | Medium |
Flowering Period | June |
Description and Growing Information
General Description | Taxodium distichum is a large, broadly pyramidal plant with a rounded top and medium growth rate. It is a deciduous conifer with very fine, fern-like leaves and rough brown bark, producing knees in wet areas. |
Pests | None of note that I have encountered in Ontario gardens. |
Notable Specimens | The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada. A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Whistling Gardens, Wilsonville, Ontario, Canada. |
Bark/Stem Description | Pale beige to light brown with thin narrow plates that do not shed to the same degree as the similar-looking Dawn Redwood. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | On mature branches and twigs the buds are slender, pointed and prominent. |
Leaf Description | Compound, 6 - 8 cm in length, with many narrow, fern-like leaflets. |
Flower Description | Monoecious, staminate in dropping, 10 - 12 cm long panicles. |
Colour Description | Rust brown in the autumn. |
Texture Description | A finely textured plant. |
Photographs
![](photos/Taxodium-distichum-lf2.jpg)
Young megastrobili, female cones.
![Microstrobili, male pollen cones. Microstrobili, male pollen cones.](photos/Taxodium-distichum-Cuddy-male.jpg)
Microstrobili, male pollen cones.
Taxodium knees, which enable the tree to breathe while the roots are in water.
![Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum 'Nutans' at RHS Wisley, England. Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum 'Nutans' at RHS Wisley, England.](photos/Taxodium-distichum-var. imbricatum-Nutans-Wisley.jpg)
Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum 'Nutans' at RHS Wisley, England.
![Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret' Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret'](photos/Taxodium-distichum-Minaret-frm2.jpg)
Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret'
![Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls' Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls'](photos/Taxodium-distichum-Cascade Falls-frm.jpg)
Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls'
![Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum 'Debonair' Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum 'Debonair'](photos/Taxodium-distitchum-var.imbricatum-Debonair-Hawke frm.jpg)
Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum 'Debonair'
Awards
![](images/RHS_logo.jpg)