Why Plant Bald Cypress?
Growing arrow-straight into a svelte pyramidal shape, the noble Baldcypress tree (or “Bald Cypress” tree) will stand like a sentinel in your landscape, tall and proud. This regal specimen tree is very approachable, however, with “needles” that are as soft as a kitten. Unusual for a conifer, its foliage falls in late autumn, revealing stringy reddish-gray bark that will be a pleasant sight outside your window in winter. Before the leaves drop, however, they turn shades of copper and bronze. Take advantage of this fact by siting Baldcypress so that the afternoon sun shines through its needles, and this tree will give off a bright, warm coppery-orange glow to lift your spirits on those chilly late fall days.
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina local fisherman found a site off the coast of Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico that was swarming with fish and suspected that there was something “big” underwater. Thinking it was a ship this remained a guarded secret to prevent scuba divers from taking valuable artifacts. Finally in 2012 after being sworn to secrecy Ben Raines was given the secret location from a friend who owned a bait shop. What Raines discovered was an ancient underwater Bald Cypress swamp in pristine condition that was most likely uncovered by hurricane Katrina in 2005. Raines described the experience like this, “Swimming around amidst these stumps and logs, you feel like you’re in this fairy world.” After 50,000 years these trees were so well preserved that when cut into them you can still smell fresh Cypress sap. The forest has become an artificial reef, attracting a variety of marine life and for that reason this treasure has a time limit. Scientists estimate that they have about 2 years to study these trees before wood-burrowing marine animals destroy them.
How to use Bald Cypress in the landscape?
Bald is Beautiful! Taxodium is one of a few conifers providing shade in summer and lets the sun shine through in the winter. This tree actually loses all of its needles in fall. Soft, fine textured, green needles drop off to showcase the outstanding reddish-brown bark in winter adding yet another unique feature to your winter garden. An impressive pyramidal shape forming a very stately tree for your landscape.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant Bald Cypress
Believe it or not, this is the same Baldcypress that grows in the swamps down South and forms “knees” that seem to rise from the water and surround the base of the tree. The Baldcypress will not form “knees” when grown up North and they don’t need swamp conditions to survive. They like full sun and actually tolerate a very wide range of soil conditions. The Baldcypress is a deciduous conifer, meaning that it loses its needles every winter exposing its reddish brown bark. It has no insect problems and requires relatively low maintenance, it’s a “plant it and forget it” type of tree.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water very slowly and very thoroughly. The water needs to reach to the bottom of the root ball and that takes time. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Prune
A very low maintenance tree, therefore little pruning work is required. Prune as needed in late winter or very early spring while the tree is still dormant.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
