Taxodium d. Shawnee Brave™ #15

Bald Cypress is a deciduous conifer that grows into a tall, airy spire, columnar to pyramidal in habit, offering filtered shade. The feathery foliage turns rusty orange in fall before dropping. It likes moisture and will develop surface roots, or "knees", if planted in a moist site. However, it is adaptable, and does not require a moist site once established. In fact, it is drought tolerant after a couple of years in the ground. It can grow 50-70' tall with a spread of 20-30'. Plant in full sun to part shade. Hardy to Zone 4. 

We have several Bald Cypress planted here at our arboretum that range from 5 to 35 years old. If you decide to make the trip out here, be sure to check out the one planted next to the bridge in the Hosta Ravine. There is a natural spring coming out of the hillside that feeds the pond down below. Because of the constant moisture, the 25 year old tree has developed lots of knees, which get covered up by massive clumps of Ligularia japonica by Spring's end. I make sure to cut the Ligularia back in late Summer after its blooms are spent, allowing the knees to show off. Most recently, we planted 8 Bald Cypress in our parking lot at the garden center that are spaced 30' apart. The idea being that they will eventually offer filtered shade across the majority of graveled area that is the parking lot and pottery section. They handle heavy compacted soils well, which makes it a great fit for the hard packed gravel and clay. 

If you're interested in something narrower, Shawnee Brave™ is a cultivar that is denser and only gets 15-20' wide.  Lindsey's Skyward® produces no surface roots or knees and only gets 5-10' wide, making for a soft, unique vertical accent.