The bald cypress (taxodium distichum) is a native tree of the United States, naturally occurring in swampy areas in the southeastern United States. However, it is a highly adaptable species, growing well in a wide range of soil and climate conditions. It is unique in that it is classified as a conifer but is deciduous, unlike most of its botanical cousins. It features softly textured, fern-like foliage, excellent autumn color and a medium rate of growth.
Growth Rate Comparison
A bald cypress tree will feature an average height of 50 to100 feet and a spread of 25 to 30 feet when mature. It will grow an average of 1 to 2 feet per year in most locations. In contrast, a fast-growing tree, like a river birch or red maple, can exceed 3 to 5 feet per year and a slow growing tree, like a magnolia, will only grow 1 foot or less per year.
Habitat and Growth Rate
Bald cypress trees prefer acidic, moist soils but will perform well in a range of soils. They cannot tolerate heavily alkaline soils or extreme periods of drought when young. The growth rate can be affected by growing conditions. A bald cypress will mature more quickly when grown in fertile, consistently moist soil and when it receives maximum sunlight. Growth is moderate in drier soils and conditions or when soils are nutritionally low. Avoid planting lawn grasses underneath a bald cypress. The competition for moisture may stunt the tree's growth.
Optimizing for Growth
A newly planted bald cypress should receive enough moisture to keep the young root system constantly moist for 2 to 3 months. If rainfall is inadequate during this period, irrigate every 2 to 3 days deeply, soaking the soil out to the tree's natural drip line. Do not fertilize a new specimen in the first year. From years 2 to 10, the growth rate can be increased by supplementing annually in spring with a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer.
A mature bald cypress will have developed a deep and complex root system. Generally, no supplemental irrigation or fertilization is needed for the tree to maintain a healthy rate of growth after it is a few years old. Maintain a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, keeping the material at least 12 inches out from the trunk. This helps maintain consistent soil moisture and provides for the slow release of organic components to the tree's root system.
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