Baldcypress

Although native to the southeast, this tree is hardy enough for northern Maine! The Baldcypress, or Taxodium distichum, grows in swamps and can thrive in year-round flooded areas, but it also survives in dry and compacted soils. Like the Dawn Redwood and Larches (it is in the same family as the Dawn Redwood), Baldcypress is a deciduous conifer, shedding its needles every autumn. Fall color is a pleasing orange, and the reddish to grayish brown bark contributes to winter interest. It grows 60'-70' high and 25'-30' wide.

Taxodium distichum is a specimen tree with unique features, not the least of which are the protruding "knees" that grow around the tree in highly compacted or wet soils. (These are areas, in fact, where few other tree varieties would thrive, much less grow additional features.) The "knees" are very attractive, especially when combined with other landscaping features. Baldcypress trees constitute an excellent choice for a deciduous conifer for parks or large lawns, especially those near bodies of water.