Pond Cypress Tree

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

45 - 60 Feet

Mature Spread

1 Foot

Growing Zones

5 to 11

The Pond Cypress Tree or Taxodium ascendens is an adaptable and beautiful tree that, once established, requires very little care. This deciduous conifer boasts long green needles that turn coppery brown during the fall and fall off the tree in the winter. Small green cones with hints of yellow appear in the spring and turn purplish-green before settling into a shade of muted brown. The Pond Cypress grows upright, has a flared base, and can live in ponds or flood-prone areas.

The main appeal of the Pond Cypress is its striking good looks and its adaptable nature. This fast-growing tree is native to North America, and it is drought tolerant and disease and insect resistant. Pond Cypress trees form surface roots and a taproot, allowing the plant to withstand high winds once established. This tree can just as easily live in a pond and standing water or dry land; however, the Pond Cypress may not handle very dry climates well.

Pond Cypress Tree Plant Care:

Plant Pond Cypress in areas with full sun to part shade. This tree can tolerate most soil types, but it prefers soil that retains moisture. Newly planted trees require weekly watering, but they will not need much care once the plant settles in. While this tree is forgiving in terms of the quality of the soil, the pH is not negotiable. The soil must have a pH under 7.5. 

Very little maintenance is required, and simply remove damaged branches as necessary. Feed this plant in the spring using a balanced nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Pond Cypress Tree Plant Spacing:

A mature Pond Cypress Tree can reach 45 to 60 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, and as a large tree, it needs space. Plant this tree 15 to 20 feet away from other trees and buildings so it will have room to grow.