Tree of Merit: Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)
Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) was SMA's
2007 Urban Tree of the Year for good reason; ten years later,
it deserves another look! It is a tree species of particular note
for its rare genealogy, its unique habitat, its strong viability in
the urban setting, and its beautiful form.
This tree shares a family with mammoths of the West like giant
sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and California coast
redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). While it is dwarfed by those
impressive species, it can achieve heights greater than 100 feet
(30 m) and stands out as an exceptional tree in its own right.
Baldcypress is known for thriving in standing water and it
is a defining species of swamps from its iconic presence in
Louisiana all the way up the East Coast to Delaware. It is
winter hardy well beyond its native range, to USDA Zone 4.
Baldcypress is an ancient species whose range is documented
to have extended much further in the warmer, swampier epochs
of prehistoric times.
Baldcypress is supremely well suited for life in the urban envi-
ronment. It tolerates compacted soils, road salt, air pollution,
and both hot and cold climates. Despite its natural tendency to
compete better on wet, swampy sites, this tree can also tolerate
periods of drought. Strong and consistent horizontal branch
angles make it exceptionally easy to establish good structure on
a baldcypress. It also has a crown that is narrower than most
other tall trees and thus is suitable for planting in the proximity
of buildings.
Once established, this tree will be relatively easy to cultivate.
However, establishment after planting can be complicated by
its tendency to develop a taproot when young. Consider meth-
ods of growing and transplanting that mitigate the problems
associated with severed taproots, such as using younger stock,
digging larger root-balls, or using root-control bags.
Our Tree of the Month is also notable for being one of the few
deciduous conifers; it develops a lovely bronze foliage in the
fall. In swamp settings this tree develops alien-like "knees" that
protrude from sub-aquatic roots. The physiological purpose of
the knees is still largely a mystery, but do not worry, as these
odd woody structures will not develop on trees grown on dry
land. The stately baldcypress is a beautiful tree with a unique
lineage and is a strong choice for urban plantings.
—Marty Frye, Arborist for Residential Plantings, Casey Trees
Young baldcypress habit.
Baldcypress leaves and cone.
Photos:
far
left:
Cornell
Woody
Plants
Database
/
left:
Ethan
Dropkin,
Cornell
Woody
Plants
Database
/
right:
Michelle
Sutton
38 CityTREES
