Pond Cypress

Use and Management

Although often seen at water's edge where it will develop "knees", or root projections, that will extend above the water for gas exchange, pondcypress can also be grown in dry locations and could make an attractive street tree for a very narrow space. Cypress knees do not generally form on these drier sites. The "knees" do not form as readily as on bald cypress, even on wet sites. It provides a good vertical accent to the landscape and should be used more often in urban areas. The roots do not appear to lift sidewalks and curbs as readily as some other species. Its delicate foliage affords light, dappled shade, and the heartwood is quite strong and resistant to rot. However, most lumber available at lumber yards today is sapwood and is not resistant to rot. Pondcypress is ideal for wet locations, such as its native habitat of stream banks and mucky soils, but the trees will also grow quite well on almost any soil, including clay, silt, and sand, except alkaline soils with a pH above 7.5. Its drought-avoidance mechanism allows it to drop leaves in extended dry periods but little harm appears to come to the tree. Pondcypress is relatively maintenance-free, requiring pruning only to remove dead wood and unwanted lower branches which persist on the tree. It maintains a desirably straight trunk without pruning and does not form double or multiple leaders as do many large trees. The cultivar 'Prairie Sentinel' is narrower than the species. Propagation is by seed.