Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls'

Description: An unusual weeping form of the popular Swamp Cypress.  A deciduous conifer with red shaggy bark on the trunk and in spring and summer soft fresh green flat, linear, dark green needles which appear in two ranks along the twigs . Needles turn an attractive rusty-brown in autumn before dropping providing additional interest.

Uses: Good in those difficult wet situations near a pond, stream or in a boggy area as they originate in swamp lands of North America.

Climate/Position: Full sun

Height/Spread: 2-4 metres x 1-2 metres

Soil Requirements: Heavy wet soils are preferred.

Pruning: Not required

Special Requirements: Thrives where it is wet and warm and when the roots of the swamp cypress are submerged in waterlogged ground, the tree will grow roots above ground known as 'knees' or pneumatophores. These carry supplies of air to the underground roots otherwise starved of oxygen

Additional Interest: distichum means in two vertical ranks referring to the leaf arrangements.

This form was discovered growing on the bank of a lake on cultivated property in Albany, Auckland, New Zealand. Branches hang outward and then plunge vertically toward the ground.  The plant is grafted onto a stem of T. distichicum  If not grafted the plant would grow flat along the ground

Often confused with Metasequoia but the leaves and winter buds of Taxodium are arranged alternately whereas Metasequoia are opposite.

Plant Breeders Rights apply