Taxodium: Planting, Growing and Care

Description and botany

The Taxodium is a conifer belonging to the Taxodiaceae family, like the sequoias and metasequoias. It grows naturally in waterlogged to moist soils. It is emblematic of the marshlands and waterways of the southeastern United States, from Mississippi to the Florida Everglades, as well as Mexico. It is particularly found in the bayous of Louisiana. The Bald Cypress was introduced to France in the mid-18th century. The Taxodium genus includes only two species: Taxodium distichum, also known as the Bald Cypress or Swamp Cypress due to its deciduous foliage, which has given rise to several varieties, such as the dwarf cultivar ‘Pevé Minaret’, and Taxodium ascendens or Pond Cypress, which has a trailing habit. Their unique feature is their deciduous foliage, unlike most conifers.

Bald Cypress illustration (circa 1903)

When growing in flooded areas, this conifer develops pneumatophores, characteristic roots—woody protrusions (absent in well-drained soils)—that emerge up to 1.5 m above the ground or water around the trunk. They appear on mature specimens (25-30 years old) and allow the root system to absorb atmospheric oxygen while anchoring the tree in shifting, waterlogged soils.

The characteristic roots of Taxodium in moist environments

This cypress has an airy conical silhouette that becomes more rounded with age. In its natural habitat, the Bald Cypress forms a large pyramidal conifer, eventually becoming columnar, reaching nearly 40 m in height with a trunk diameter of 2 m. In gardens, its mature size is typically limited to 20-25 m in height with a spread of 7-8 m. Its growth is rapid, and its longevity exceptional—it can live up to 500 years. Some specimens have stood for centuries. The Taxodium ascendens ‘Nutans’ is more compact, growing 8–15 m tall with a 2–3 m spread, making it better suited to medium-sized gardens, and can live up to 1,000 years! The dwarf cultivar ‘Pevé Minaret’ reaches only 3 m in height and 1 m in spread, ideal for small spaces.

The fibrous, very knotty trunk is covered in thick reddish-brown bark, deeply furrowed and fissured with age. Over time, it broadens at the base and twists spirally.

Silhouette of Taxodium distichum

Taxodium is remarkable for its fine, delicate, and ever-changing foliage, which turns stunning autumn hues, filling the garden with warm, spicy tones. Its long branches bear persistent shoots that carry deciduous branchlets. It is one of the few conifers that sheds its branchlets and spurs in autumn. Its branchlets are lined with soft, flattened needles, bright green at bud burst, turning golden-brown before falling. These flexible, upright needles, 1–2 cm long, spiral along a single rank, unlike the Metasequoia, which has opposite needles. They resemble those of the yew (Taxus baccata) and appear to grow in two opposite rows—hence its name, from taxus (yew), dis (two), and stikhos (rank).

Like monoecious species, male and female cones coexist on the same tree. In spring, small male catkins release pollen, while inconspicuous female flowers at their base develop into globular, scaly, pedunculate cones, 2–3 cm wide, initially green then brown, clustered in terminal spikes 10–30 cm long. Their imbricate scales retract at ripeness, releasing seeds.

Its soft, rot-resistant wood, lightweight and easy to work, resists wood-boring insects like termites, making it prized for furniture, cabinetry, and construction. Its shredded bark makes excellent mulch, akin to pine.

Summer and autumn foliage of Taxodium. Bottom left: fruiting

Main species and varieties

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Planting Taxodium

Where to Plant a Bald Cypress?

Hardy down to at least -15°C, the Taxodium can withstand harsh winters, making it suitable for planting in the coldest regions of our country. This native of wetlands and marshes may be less comfortable in Mediterranean areas, as it cannot tolerate dry soils or drought. While it thrives in constantly moist, even flooded soils and grows in shallow water, it adapts to any ordinary, deep and cool soil. In such cases, its growth will be slower. It requires a certain level of soil moisture to develop rapidly. However, it prefers a slightly acidophilous soil with low limestone content. Choose a very sunny location, though it tolerates partial shade.

This tree does not transplant well: so carefully consider the planting site beforehand and allocate enough space, as the standard species can easily exceed 20m in height and 10-12m in width at maturity. To best showcase its ornamental qualities, plant it in a relatively open area of the garden, without excessive competition. In a medium-sized garden or a city garden, opt for a less bulky and slower-growing variety than the standard type, such as ‘Pevé Minaret’.

It can be grown as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, as well as a standalone feature in a flowerbed or near a pond. Smaller varieties will thrive in a large container on a terrace or balcony.

Bald cypresses need ample space to fully express themselves

When to Plant a Bald Cypress?

Planting a Bald Cypress is best done in autumn, from September to November, to allow it to establish roots before winter, always avoiding frost periods.

How to Plant It?

In highly calcareous soil, we recommend adding heather soil at planting. Allow at least 8 to 10m between its base and another tree, wall, or fence.

• Dig a planting hole 3 times wider than the root ball
• Use a digging fork to loosen the soil thoroughly to a depth of 80cm
• Spread gravel to ensure good drainage around the roots
• Add manure or compost if the soil is too sandy
• Plant the tree without burying the base of the trunk
• Install 1 to 3 stakes outside the root ball if needed
• Firm the soil and water generously until established
• Mulch around the base to keep the soil cool in summer

Cultivation, care, pruning

This is an easy-to-grow conifer provided the soil remains consistently moist. Water deeply and generously during the first two summers and remain vigilant during hot, dry spells. The soil should never dry out completely. A good mulch layer is recommended. Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (such as pine bark, which will slightly acidify the soil) to retain moisture around the roots and reduce watering needs.

Pruning is not necessary—it’s even preferable not to prune the bald cypress. If absolutely required, limit yourself to an annual tidy-up before new growth appears, removing only dead, awkward, or superfluous branches. The bald cypress is resistant to diseases and parasitic pests.

Bald cypress in summer and autumn

Propagation

Although sowing is possible, propagation of Taxodium is most commonly done by propagation by cuttings in late summer on hard wood.

By cuttings

• Take dry shoot tips around 15 cm long
• Remove the leaves near the base of the cutting and scrape the bark just below a node over 1 cm in length
• Insert these into moist sand
• Place in a humid environment in partial shade, bring indoors to protect from frost in winter
• Open regularly to prevent rotting
• In spring, transplant the rooted cuttings into pots containing a mix of compost and heather soil and keep until planting in the ground in autumn

→ Discover our tutorial: How to Take Cuttings from Conifers?

Associations

The Taxodium distichum thrives ideally near a pond, on the banks of a lake, or along a watercourse, where it will express its full potential as a specimen tree. Although it usually stands out on its own as a focal point, it pairs easily with bushes or perennials that enjoy the same growing conditions: a neutral to acidic and moist soil, light shade or sun. With its golden autumn foliage, it makes a striking addition to beautiful autumnal settings.

Around a water feature, it will flourish alongside remarkable trees like the Nyssa or black tupelo, which also requires slightly acidic, moist to very wet soil and bursts into fiery hues in autumn, as well as marginal perennials such as Acorus gramineus, the highly graphic Equisetum hyemale (japonicum), and Astilbes. Also consider submerged plants like Iris pseudacorus.

Bald cypress, surrounded by Equisetum hyemale, Iris pseudacorus, Nyssa sylvatica, and Acorus gramineus

In a garden spacious enough to accommodate it, you can plant it alongside its cousin, the Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Gold Rush’, another large deciduous conifer with magnificent foliage that thrives in waterlogged soils. The bald cypress pairs well with other large conifers boasting autumnal foliage, such as the Larch.

In a cool to moist border, you can also plant at its base beautiful ferns like Onoclea sensibilis, Matteuccia orientalis, and Thelypteris palustris, along with some hostas that tolerate sun. For bushes, consider the foliage of Aucubas and that of Cornus alba, stolonifera, or sanguinea—bushes with remarkable foliage and wood.

Bald cypress at the top centre, in a mix featuring Matteuccia orientalis, Cornus alba, Aucuba japonica, the beautiful marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), and Hostas

Since the Taxodium distichum (Bald cypress) thrives in slightly acidic soils, it can serve as a backdrop for a mix of heather soil bushes.

You can set the garden ablaze in late season by pairing it with trees and bushes with colourful foliage such as the Liquidambar and the Katsura tree.