Bald Cypress and Montezuma Cypress Plant Information

Bald Cypress and Montezuma Cypress
(Taxodium distichum and mucronatum)

Native Range: Hill Country Streams, Rio Grande River and Deep South
Texas; East Texas to Florida
Sun/Shade: Full sun or part-shade
General Information: Bald Cypress is the majestic large tree, up to 160
feet tall, of Hill Country rivers and creeks. Montezuma is native along the
Rio Grande River and other parts of Deep South Texas. The foliage of both
looks the same, the major difference being that Bald Cypress grows more
upright and pyramidal whereas Montezuma tends to grow foliage all over its
trunk which gives it more of a weeping effect. Both trees are beautiful in
their own way and grow well in our area.
Landscape Use: Use as you would any large shade tree, as long as you have
a sprinkler system, water occasionally, or have an aerobic septic system. If
everyone who has a sprinkler system or aerobic septic system would plant a
Bald or Montezuma Cypress, our area would be dotted with these majestic
trees. In areas with numerous aerobic septic systems, we could have a well
spaced forest of Cypress. Homeowner Associations should consider
encouraging or requiring residents to plant a Bald Cypress which would
beautify their neighborhoods and help replace native plants destroyed by
soggy soil created by aerobic system sprayed areas.
Size: Up to 160 feet tall and about 30 feet wide.
Type: Deciduous shade tree with rust colored fall foliage. Montezuma tends
to be more evergreen
Drought Tolerance: Surprisingly drought tolerant, but will suffer, or
perhaps die, in severe drought conditions, without supplemental irrigation.
However, will survive drought as long as it is watered well at least once
every 30 days when rainfall stops. Will grow larger and lush with more
water. Develops knees or trunk knobs in areas with standing water.
Soil: Prefers lower areas with deeper soil but does just fine in the rocky Hill
Country, as long as it gets water.
Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow
to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Following this
general watering principle is enough water for a Bald Cypress to look
healthy. However, unlike many other native trees, you may water Bald
Cypress as much as you like. If planting by a stream or pond, plant close to