Spring/Summer 2000

Species Profile: Baldcypress

For the record, the official state tree of Mississippi is the magnolia. Off the record, when I think of trees and Mississippi, particularly our bottomlands, baldcypress comes to mind. Baldcypress, draped with spanish moss and growing around an old bayou or along one of our many scenic rivers and streams, seems symbolic of the South.

Baldcypress, (Taxodium distichum), is a southern conifer most often found in wet sites, in pure stands or mixed with tupelo gum. The fibrous, scaly bark of baldcypress is reddish brown in color and turns gray near the surface. The leaves of baldcypress are 1/2" to 3/4" long, linear to lancelate and two-ranked along branchlets that are deciduous along the leaves.

Baldcypress can reach heights of up to 150 feet and diameters of up to 12 feet. Dendrological cross-dating has confirmed baldcypress at up to 1,700 years of age and there are unconfirmed ages reaching 2,000 years. Baldcypress growing in water usually has a fluted trunk. The roots produce cone-like projections above the water or soil surface known as cypress knees.

Baldcypress is best suited to nutrient rich sediments, typical of the soils found around streams and river systems. Baldcypress grows slowly in the less fertile soils of black-water swamps and bayous. Baldcypress seeds will not germinate under water and on drier sites competition from more shade tolerant species limits baldcypress numbers.

Baldcypress is widely distributed throughout the Southeastern United States. Along the Atlantic Coast, baldcypress can be found from Delaware to southern Florida and along the Gulf Coast from Florida to southeastern Texas. Inland distribution includes the lower and upper coastal plains of the Mississippi Valley up into southeastern Oklahoma, southern and eastern Arkansas to the Missouri bootheel and into southern Illinois and Indiana.

Baldcypress heartwood is well known for its great durability. Wood duck nest boxes and other bird houses that are subjected to weather are commonly made from baldcypress because no other wood can withstand such harsh elements.

Baldcypress is a favorite tree used in landscaping and is being introduced into many parts of the world. In the wild, the seeds of baldcypress are eaten by numerous species of birds, as well as black bear. Eagles and osprey often use older trees as dens and nest sites.

The Mississippi state record baldcypress is located on Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area in Humphreys County and has a circumference of 41' 5", a crown of 60', and a height of 100'.

This article was written by Rob Ballinger, Field Biologist with the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation.