How to Grow Bald Cypress - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Bald cypress is a plant that is native to North America. It is a deciduous tree that can grow to be 100 feet tall. The leaves of the bald cypress are green in the summer and turn brown in the fall. The bark of the tree is brown and scaly. The wood of the bald cypress is soft and light in color. The cones of the bald cypress are small and brown.

How to Grow Bald Cypress - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • Swamp cypress
  • Pond cypress
  • Bald tupelo
  • Water tupelo
  • Stump-topped cypress

Common Knowledge

  • Bald cypress is a deciduous conifer that is native to North America.
  • It grows well in damp to wet soils and can tolerate occasional flooding.
  • The tree is cone-bearing with scale-like leaves that turn yellow-brown in autumn.
  • The wood is light and strong, making it ideal for construction and furniture-making.
  • Bald cypress is also a popular ornamental tree due to its distinctive appearance.
  • It is relatively resistant to pests and diseases.
  • The tree can live for hundreds of years, with some specimens known to be over 1,000 years old.
  • It is an important food source for many animals, including beavers, deer, and ducks.
  • The wood is often used in the manufacture of mulch, chips, and sawdust.
  • Bald cypress is harvested for its timber and is a commercially important tree.

Growing Steps

  1. For bald cypress, first step is to find a spot in your yard that has full sun and good drainage. If you have a spot that is wet or boggy, that is ideal.
  2. Next, clear any vegetation from the area where you will be planting the tree.
  3. Use a shovel to dig a hole that is twice as wide as the tree’s root ball.
  4. Carefully remove the tree from its container or burlap wrapping.
  5. Place the tree in the hole so that the root ball is level with the ground.
  6. Backfill the hole with the soil you removed earlier, tamping it down as you go.
  7. Water the tree deeply, saturating the root ball.
  8. Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch around the tree, being careful not to pile it up against the trunk.
  9. Water the tree regularly, especially during the first year after planting.
  10. Fertilize the tree once a year with a balanced fertilizer.

Related plant:
Bald Cypress Tree

Soil Condition

About soil condition, the bald cypress prefers wet to moist conditions and is intolerant of drought. It is commonly found along waterways such as streams, rivers, lakes, and bayous, where it often forms extensive pure stands. The wood of the bald cypress is very resistant to rot, making it ideal for use in construction, furniture, and fence posts.

About light

Not too different with other trees, the bald cypress needs sunlight to grow. However, it is more tolerant of shady conditions than most other trees. In fact, the bald cypress is often found growing in swamps where it is almost constantly surrounded by water. This tree does best in full sun, but it can also grow in partial shade.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for bald cypress is a temperature that is not too hot and not too cold. The ideal temperature for bald cypress is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too hot, the bald cypress will start to drop its leaves. If the temperature gets too cold, the bald cypress will stop growing.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 40-50%. Keep the soil moist but not wet and do not let it dry out. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will turn brown and crispy. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will turn yellow and drop off.

The Fertilizer

Mentioning fertilizer, this plant is known to be quite tolerant of poor soils, but it will also flourish with added organic matter and/or fertilizer. It's also important to note that the roots of bald cypress trees can damage foundations, sidewalks, and driveways.

Plant Pruning

Pruning bald cypress is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. To prune, start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Next, thin out the canopy to allow more light and air to reach the inner branches. Finally, cut back any overgrown branches to the desired length.

About Propagating

Propagation is by seed, with seedlings emerging in as little as two weeks. However, it may take up to two years for a seedling to become a mature tree. Seedlings should be transplanted to their permanent location when they are about one foot tall. Bald cypress is also easily propagated by rooting cuttings taken from young trees.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by site conditions such as soil type and moisture. The average bald cypress tree is around 60 feet (18 m) tall, but they can grow to be as tall as 150 feet (46 m). The oldest bald cypress tree in the world is thought to be around 1,600 years old and is located in St. Clair County, Alabama.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are diseases such as root rot and canker. Insect problems include aphids, scale, and borers. These problems are usually found in trees that are stressed from drought, over-watering, or damage.

List to Know

  • Remember to keep the bald cypress well watered, especially when first planting it.
  • Place the bald cypress in an area of your yard that gets full sun.
  • Fertilize the bald cypress regularly with a good quality fertilizer.
  • Prune the bald cypress regularly to encourage new growth.
  • Protect the bald cypress from strong winds by planting it in a sheltered area.
  • Keep the bald cypress away from areas that are prone to flooding.
  • Harvest the cones from the bald cypress tree when they mature.
  • Use a mulch around the base of the bald cypress to help retain moisture.
  • Give the bald cypress room to grow by planting it in an open area.
  • Enjoy the beauty of the bald cypress tree in your yard for many years to come!

Alternative Plants

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_distichum
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_ascendens
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudotaxus_chienii
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_balfourii
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_formosanum
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudotaxus_sp
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_pauciflorum
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_rubens
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_occidentale
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax

Source:
Bald Cypress | Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental …
Bald Cypress | Campus Trees
Bald Cypress | Glen Arboretum - Towson University

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