Baldcypress

Baldcypress refers to three species of trees of the genus Taxodium, the type genus of the family Taxodiaceae, which also includes the redwoods. These are swamp trees that live to great ages of one thousand years and more, and are favored for their lumber which is extremely rot-resistant. The shredded bark of these trees is a popular mulch. The trees are deciduous in the north, semi-deciduous in the south.

Baldcypress trees in swamp situations have a peculiarity of growth called cypress knees. These are woody projections, sent above the water from the roots. Their function is unclear.

The Montezuma baldcypress has the greatest girth of any living tree, with the record specimen being over fifty feet in diameter.

The three species are:

• Taxodium ascendens - pondcypress
• Taxodium distichum - baldcypress
• Taxodium mucronatum - Montezuma baldcypress