Campus Tree Walk | Bald Cypress

Bald Cypress | Taxodium distichum

Pronunciation: tack-SO-dee-um DISS-tick-um
Scientific Name: Taxodium distichum
Common Names: Baldcypress, bald cypress
Family: Cupressaceae
Origin: native to the southeastern United States, in addition to east Texas and Atlantic states as far north as Delaware
Height: 60 to 80 feet  |  Spread: 25 to 35 feet

Description: The Bald Cypress is a large growing member of the Cypress family, and part of the greater class known as Conifers, which includes over 600 species of cone bearing trees. The Bald Cypress is quite easily recognisable, commonly found in swamps, wetlands, around lakes, or other aquatic environments. The Bald Cypress grows a distinct taper at the bottom of its trunk, and is also quite famous for its cypress knees, root-like structures that shoot up around the main tree, and purposes are not quite known yet.