Taxodium distichum

Taxodium distichum, commonly known as bald cypress, is a long-lived deciduous conifer native to the southeastern United States, historically associated with swamps, floodplains, and riverbanks. Revered for its strength and longevity, it develops a broad, buttressed trunk and feathery green foliage that turns rich copper-orange in fall before shedding. Despite its association with wetlands, it adapts well to average garden soils once established. It grows best in full sun and tolerates standing water, seasonal flooding, and heat, with a moderate to fast growth rate. Hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, it matures into a large, stately tree prized for resilience, wildlife value, and dramatic seasonal change.