The Bald Cypress is a beautiful, deciduous conifer that is low-maintenance once established. It has a narrow to broad pyramidal shape when young eventually developing into a broad-topped, spreading, open specimen when mature. The green, needle-like leaves turn a rich copper in the fall before dropping, but the bare branches and reddish gray, peeling bark provide much landscape interest during the winter. The trunk grows unusually thick toward the base, even on young trees. The small seeds are used by some birds and squirrels. Although often seen at water's edge where it will develop "knees", or root projections, that will extend above the water, Bald Cypress can also be grown in dry locations and makes an attractive lawn, street, or shade tree. Cypress knees do not generally form on these drier sites. Growth is often faster in moist, well-drained soil. Surprisingly, the roots do not appear to lift sidewalks and curbs as readily as some other species. Its delicate, feathery foliage affords light, dappled shade, and the heartwood of Bald Cypress is quite resistant to rot. The Bald Cypress has a medium growth-rate reaching 40 to 50 feet in about 15 to 25 years. It is hardy in Zones 4-10. It reaches a mature height of about 60-80 feet and a spread of 20-25 feet. It maintains a desirably straight trunk and a moderately dense canopy and does not form double or multiple leaders as do many other large trees.
USDA ZONES: Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
