Question
QUESTION: Tom, I live in Galesburg, Il. (zone 5) In one neighborhood we have several unusual trees.  They have conical trunks at least 60 to 80 ft. high. The growth is also conical at least 40 ft. wide at the base and starts a good 20 feet from the ground.  They don't appear to ever have been pruned.  They are desiduous (sp?) but appear to be pines as well.  They have very fine almost feathery foliage and clusters of perfectly round green "seeds" about one and a quarter inch in diameter.  The seeds are in clusters of three to five located at the ends of branches. They have unusual designs on them as if they could open up into many smaller seeds. I really don't know how else to describe them.  These are beautiful trees and like something out of a Disney movie.  I'm wondering if you can identify them by my description and if so how to propagate them?

ANSWER: Hi Johnp,
It sounds like Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum).  Yes, these trees do grow in the north (we have some on one of our main thoroughfares here in the Kansas City area.) and they do change color slightly and lose their leaves in the fall (deciduous).

To propagate, gather the seeds and place them  inside a wet paper towel.  Place the paper towel inside a plastic baggie and seal it.  Place the baggie inside the fridge for 60 days.  Remove the baggie from the fridge and the seeds from the bag.  Plant the seeds 1 inch deep in a seed flat and cover with soil.  Germination takes place in as little as 15 days but more normally between 40-90 days at 75F.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Tom,
Thanks for quick follow up!  Any suggestions on planting directions and care after palnting would be helpful.  Also, growth rate.
Johnp

Answer
Hi Johnp,
Thanx for the follow-up question.  The cypresses are pretty tough trees.  They overwinter just fine here in the Kansas City area.  Plant them where they will have plenty of room to grow as they will become a big, big tree.  They will need full sun.  They don't seem to be bothered by drought, heat or cold.  But, the first five years, I would use fertilizer spikes according to the directions on the package and I would give the tree a good soaking the first 2 years if you're not having regular rain.

Here's a great article from the Missouri Botanical Gardens I think you will find helpful.  Let me know if I can be of further help.
Tom

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=M510