Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress

Deciduous conifers are not always the first trees that come to mind when filling in a landscape, but Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress fits a special niche. This tree has attractive, soft-green foliage that turns an orange-brown color in the fall before dropping from the tree. The Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress has a narrower habit than other cultivars of bald cypress. This, in combination with an ability to tolerate tough conditions, makes it an ideal tree in many urban environments. The Shawnee Brave is a cultivar of Taxodium distichum and is sometimes also known by the cultivar name ‘Mickelson’. 

A native to the United States, bald cypress is noteworthy for its ability to thrive in wet soils and even standing water. It also performs well in sites with medium moisture, adding to its versatility. This low-maintenance selection additionally tolerates deer, erosion, and clay soils. The species is often recognized for its distinctive knobby root growths, or “knees”, which protrude above the water surface. 

Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress Care

Bald cypresses like the Shawnee Brave require full sunlight to partial shade. The ideal soil for this tree is average, medium to moist, and acidic. If the soil is too alkaline, the bald cypress’ leaves can become chlorotic and yellow. Stake new trees in the landscape for about a year if the root ball is not large enough to support the aboveground growth; you can also stake the trunk if the site is windy or if the aboveground growth leaves the tree imbalanced. These trees typically require little fertilization; a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied every one to two years beginning the year following planting is sufficient. Or, simply applying an organic mulch around the tree on a regular basis will encourage ample vigor. 

The Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress naturally develops a strong central trunk, so extensive pruning is not required. On young trees, prune annually in late winter or early spring before new foliage emerges to remove any rubbing, crowded, or damaged branches. Otherwise, cut any damaged branches back to just above a node in the healthy portion of the branch as the damage is noticed. 

Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress Spacing

This stately tree grows 40 to 50 feet tall with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. Space multiple Shawnee Braves 20 feet apart for a relatively dense planting or position each tree 40 feet away from other trees to ensure the best form for standalone specimens. To create a planting around the bald cypress, use perennials that like dappled shade such as wild ginger or hot lips turtlehead.