Growing Taxodium (Bald Cypress)

Pronunciation: tax-oh'-dee-um

This tall, slender, deciduous conifer has fern-like needles that turn warm shades of orange-brown in fall before dropping. Although the Bald Cypress grows naturally in swamps, it does well in average soils that don't dry out and makes a handsome specimen tree for large properties.

Light: Full sun.

Soil: Average to damp acid soil; well suited for wet or boggy sites.

Watering: The key to getting your new shrub or tree off to a good start is moisture. Water thoroughly after planting, and keep a close eye on the plant over the following week. Then, give it a good soaking once a week during summer, unless rainfall is plentiful (more than 1″ per week). Established plants can generally get by on less water, but most grow best if the soil remains evenly moist. Please note that more is not better. When in doubt, don't water.

Fertilizer: We recommend against fertilizing at planting time and during the first growing season in your garden. Plants need time to settle in before being pushed to grow. Most established plants grow best if fertilized with a light hand. Here at the Farm, we fertilize our specimen trees and shrubs just once -- in early spring -- with a light but even coverage of a balanced, granular fertilizer (such 5-10-10, 10-10-10, or an organic fertilizer). If a concentrated, water-soluble fertilizer is used, please follow the manufacturers' recommendations carefully.

Continuing Care: Easy care. Chlorosis can occur in alkaline soils (those with a pH greater than 7). Leaf spot, spider mites, gall mites, and twig blight can be problems.