The Bald Cypress is a large deciduous tree that is widely seen around the country because of its ability to tolerate both wet and dry land conditions.  The Bald Cypress is commonly known as a Southern Swamp tree because it is seen most commonly in swamps and along rivers.  

The Bald Cypress is a very unique specimen because of its ability to put up "knees" around the roots.  It's been thought that these knees are to help supply oxygen to the root system; however, the definate purpose is unknown.  The knees are only seen if the tree is planted in water, so planting this tree in a yard will not produce knees. 

The leaves of the Bald Cypress are flat and needle-like similar to a short leaf pine.  The leaves are not sticky, but are soft, almost fern-like.    

Cypress wood has been long used for furniture, boats, and even coffins because of its ability to resist water and weather damage.  Unlike other wood, the cypress wood will not rot when submerged for long periods of time.  

In Mexico City, a Bald Cypress named 'Tree of the Sorrowful Night' stands, which is significant because under this tree is where Cortez rested on a rock and cried for his lost soldiers after he was defeated by the Aztecs in 1520, making it almost 500 years old.         


Characteristics

v Type of Tree:  
         Deciduous shade tree.  
v Light:
         Full sun.   
v Soil Type:
         Grows in most types of soil; grows best in moist/wet soil. Drought  and flood tolerant. 
v Size at Maturity:
         Very targe tree; can reach heights of 100'+ tall, with a 25'-30' spread.   
v Growth:  
         Medium rate grower. 
v Lifespan:  
         Long lived; up to about 600 years.
v Shape:  
         Pyramidal. 
v Fruit:  
         Small round cones that are less than 1 inch in length. Each cone can contain around 30 seeds.   
v Blooming Time:  
         Cones riped from October-December.  
v Flowers:  
         None.
v Growing Zones:  
         Zones 4-10 (Zone Map) 



Images taken April 4, 2009 when trees were just putting on new growth.