Family: Taxodiaceae

Form: Deciduous tree, pyramid to conical shape for young trees, older trees having flattened top and irregular canopy, reaching70-100+ feet tall

Leaves: Coniferous 2-4 inch long branchlets, needle like, linear, and distichous, new growth light green becoming dark green in summer to rich brown in fall

Stem/Bark: Reddish brown, fibrous, trunk buttressed at the base, with a 10 foot diameter at chest height, often with pneumatophores around the base

Flower: Monoecious, inconspicuous and not showy

Fruit: No true fruit, globose female cones assorted singularly or in pairs at end of branch, about 1” diameter, composed of several 3 angled scales

Comments: The pond cypress or Taxodium ascendens is a related native species, with smaller, more appressed leaves and greater tolerance to stagnant water