The Soil Requirements for Bald Cypresses

by Michelle Wishhart
    Bald cypress is tolerant of a range of soil conditions.

    Bald cypress is tolerant of a range of soil conditions.

    Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a long-lived deciduous conifer that hails from the Southeastern and Gulf Coastal Plains of the United States. The tree is characterized by its unique trunk, which has a broad, buttressed base and a tapered, narrow top. In cultivation, bald cypress is less picky about soil conditions and will grow in a variety of environments.


    Bald cypress is a hardy tree that is tolerant of a range of soil conditions. Although it is found in wet or flooded soil in the wild, in cultivation bald cypress is capable of growing in moderately dry, upland soils and average soils. The tree will produce its healthiest and most rapid growth, however, if cultivated in acidic to neutral sandy soil that is well-draining and moist. In alkaline soils, bald cypress may develop an unattractive yellowing of the leaves known as chlorosis.


    In the wild, bald cypress is found growing in or alongside rivers, streams and swamps. In the garden, bald cypress is an ideal choice for the flooded, water-logged soil next to a pond, creek or other water feature. The tree is suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 9, where it must have full, all-day sunlight in order to thrive. This tough tree is tolerant of air pollution, a plus for urban gardens.


    Growing up to 70 feet tall with a spread of up to 45 feet, bald cypress makes an impressive shade or ornamental tree for gardens with enough space. When grown in shallow water, bald cypress may produces bulbous growths known as cypress "knees," which lift up above the surface of the water. The exact function of the knees are unknown, though some believe they help to obtain oxygen for the tree. These knees add to the distinctive ornamental value of bald cypress.

    Pond Cypress

    Bald cypress is often confused with pond cypress (Taxodium distichum var. nutans), a nearly identical-looking tree that has more pendulous branches and smaller leaves. Although the trees are similar in appearance, pond cypress requires more soil acidity. When grown next to water, pond cypress prefers still water, while bald cypress prefers moving water. Pond cypress is generally a slower-growing thicker-barked tree that is less likely to have "knees" than bald cypress. When the tree does develop knees, they are smaller and more rounded.

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