Baldcypress, Common

This tree is one of the 150 trees initially included in the arboretum to coincide with the campus's 150th anniversary celebration.

Scientific Name:
Taxodium distichum

Cultivar:

Native to:
Delaware to Florida, west to Southern Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana

Mature Height and Width:
50-70 feet by 20-30 feet

Additional Notes:
Bald cypress’ extreme resistance to rot and termites allow the above ground portions of the tree to live hundreds of years.  However, the root system can regenerate new stems if the old one is damaged, so there is no telling the age of the root systems of natural cypress.  Their legendary rot resistance has resulted in the use of cypress lumber for such diverse applications as caskets, pilings, and the construction of cathedrals.