Taxodium distichum Tree | Hillier Trees

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: High

Dry Soil: Low

Lime: Medium

Taxodium distichum, commonly known as the Swamp Cypress, is a striking deciduous conifer, renowned for its graceful form and adaptability to aquatic environments. It belongs to the Cupressaceae family and is native to the southeastern United States, where it thrives in swamps, wetlands and down riverbanks.

The Swamp Cypress has a distinctive pyramidal to conical shape when young and becomes more broadly spreading and flat-topped as it matures. It’s feathery needle-like leaves are arranged in flat sprays and take on a vibrant grass-green colour during spring and summer. These transition to warm hues of copper and bronze-yellow in autumn and shed in winter.

A unique feature of Taxodium distichum is its peculiar knee-like growth that emerge from the roots, especially when grown by water. These are believed to aid in gas exchange, but also add an intriguing architectural element to the appearance of the tree.

Well-suited to wet and poorly-drained soils, this tree is an excellent choice for landscaping around ponds and lakes. Its adaptability extends to drier soils, allowing it to thrive in a variety of soils.

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Size

Large

8m high x 4m wide after 25 years

Environment

Thrives in aquatic environments including swamps, lakes and alongside rivers. Will make a nice feature tree by a large pond.

Canopy

Has a distinctive pyramidal shape when young, but evolves to a broader spreading and flat-topped crown.

Foliage

Deciduous. Leaves are feathery and needle-like. Vibrant grass-green in spring and summer, then transition to warm hues of copper, and bronze-yellow in autumn, before falling in winter.

Bark

Fibrous, reddish brown bark and a strongly buttressed trunk.

Fruit

Cones are short stalked with thick, woody scales.

Resilience

Does extremely well in poorly drained, wet soil, but can also survive in well-drained drier soil, making it a highly adaptable tree. Likes clay, loam, chalk and sand. Does best in full sun.