Pond Cypress

The Pond Cypress (Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium), a long-lived and adaptable native conifer that brings a touch of southern charm to any landscape. Smaller than its cousin the Bald Cypress, the Pond Cypress offers a graceful pyramidal form that matures into a striking presence. Though native to southern swamps and bayous, this deciduous tree surprisingly thrives in both flooded and drier upland soils, showcasing its impressive resilience. Its scale-like leaves provide a soft, feathery texture, turning a beautiful orange in the fall before dropping. Unlike some evergreens, its bare branches in winter offer their own unique appeal. With its tolerance for various soil conditions and its ability to attract birds, the Pond Cypress is a versatile and beneficial choice for a wide range of landscaping needs, from wetlands restoration to adding a distinctive specimen to your yard.

#43 Taxodium ascendens. Date - 5-25-06

Sizes Available

Wholesale Only

1 Gallon

$4.00

3 Gallon

$8.00

7 Gallon

$22.00

15 Gallon

$50.00

Taxodium ascendens,

A unique pond cypress in the Apalachicola National Forest in Liberty County Florida.

Scientific Name: Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium

Common Name: Pond Cypress

Hardiness Zones: 5a through 9b (depending on the source, sometimes listed as 5B through 9B)

Height: Typically 30 to 70 feet

Spread: Typically 15 to 20 feet

Growth Rate: Slow to Medium 

Foliage: Spring & Summer: Overlapping scale-like leaves up to 1/3 inch long, providing a fine, soft texture and a look similar to a needled evergreen. Fall: Turns a showy bright orange, adding warm color to the autumn landscape.

Bark: Dark red-brown to silver-brown with many thin, vertical ridges, providing visual interest.

Sun: Full sun, ensuring optimal growth and fall color.

Soil: Highly adaptable, tolerating average, medium to wet, moisture-retentive but reasonably well-drained soils; prefers moist, acidic, sandy soils and can thrive in standing water, showcasing its versatility.

Wildlife Value: Attracts birds that eat its seeds and provides cover for various wildlife, enhancing local ecosystems.

Why Choose Pond Cypress?

Adaptable to Wet and Dry Conditions:

Unlike many trees that prefer specific moisture levels, the Pond Cypress thrives in a wide range of soil conditions, from frequently flooded areas to reasonably well-drained sites, making it a remarkably versatile choice for various landscaping projects, including wetlands restoration.

 

Beautiful Fall Color and Unique Texture:

Enjoy the soft, feathery texture of the Pond Cypress’s leaves throughout the growing season, followed by a stunning display of orange fall color, adding seasonal beauty to your landscape. Its unique texture offers a contrast to more traditional broadleaf trees.

Low Maintenance and Long-Lived:

The Pond Cypress is a low-maintenance tree that, once established, requires minimal care. Its long lifespan ensures years of enjoyment and beauty in your landscape, making it a sustainable choice.

Native Beauty with Wildlife Benefits:

Choosing the Pond Cypress supports native ecosystems by providing food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Its natural beauty enhances landscapes while contributing to local biodiversity.

Environmental Benefits of Planting Pond Cypress

This data is based on US Averages of healthy and mature trees over a 20-year period.

Check out the USDA’s MyTree Tool to input your custom location data.

A single pond cypress can offset the CO₂ emissions produced by driving an average gas-powered car for 1,163 miles.

A single pond cypress can absorb enough stormwater to fill 86 bathtubs, reducing erosion, runoff, and supporting transpiration.

A single pond cypress removes as much air pollution as the weight of 10 smartphones.

Featured Projects

Salvador Wildlife Management Area Reforestation

We were proud to be one of the growers for this 20,000-acre reforestation project in Louisiana, where over 4 million Bald Cypress were planted to restore wetlands, capture carbon, and enhance coastal resilience.

The Legacy of The Senator Lives On

Sixteen years ago, we partnered with forestry researchers and a science teacher on an ambitious mission: cloning one of the world's oldest trees, The Senator, a 3,500-year-old bald cypress. When this ancient giant was tragically lost to fire in 2012, our work became more vital than ever. Today, its legacy lives on through The Phoenix—an identical clone now flourishing in Big Tree Park.

Central Florida Lands and Timber Nursery, LLC. is a wholesale nursery specializing in a wide array of Florida native trees. With an inventory of over 2 million container-grown trees, CFLTN, LCC can meet the needs of large-scale reforestation, mitigation, and landscaping projects throughout the Southeast region.

Phone

(386) 294-1211

Address

3087 North County Road 53 Mayo, Florida 32066