Plant Database
tree

Pond Cypress

Taxodium distichum 'var. nutans'

 

 
Pond Cypress (Taxodium distichum 'var. nutans') at GardenWorks

Pond Cypress

Pond Cypress

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Pond Cypress (Taxodium distichum 'var. nutans') at GardenWorks

Pond Cypress foliage

Pond Cypress foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  60 feet

Spread:  20 feet

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  5a

Other Names:  T. ascendens, Pondcypress

Description:

A genuinely awe-inspring tree for so many reasons; its tall, columnar habit, thread-like foliage held in dense clumps along the ascending branches, turning antique brown in fall, curious knobby knees when planted near water; a tree-lover's tree

Ornamental Features

Pond Cypress is primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has emerald green deciduous foliage. The ferny bipinnately compound leaves turn an outstanding harvest gold in the fall. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Pond Cypress is a dense deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Pond Cypress is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Shade
  • Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Pond Cypress will grow to be about 60 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Accent  Shade  Articulation 
Applications
Fall Color  Texture  Plant Form  Bark 
Ornamental Features


Disclaimer - This resource is provided for informational purposes only and does NOT reflect current availability. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact your favourite GardenWorks location directly for current availability. It does not include our entire inventory of plants, so be sure to visit GardenWorks to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.