Pond Cypress, National Road Taxodium distichum 'var. nutans' Height: 70 feet Spread: 30 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 4b Other Names: T. ascendens, Pondcypress Description: A genuinely inspiring tree for so many reasons; its tall, pyramidal habit, thread-like foliage held in dense clumps along the ascending branches, turning antique brown in fall, curious knobby knees when planted near water; a tree-lover's tree Ornamental Features Pond Cypress, National Road is primarily valued in the landscape for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. It has emerald green deciduous foliage. The ferny bipinnately compound leaves turn an outstanding harvest gold in the fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Pond Cypress, National Road is a deciduous tree with a strong central leader and an upright spreading habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and squirrels to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Pond Cypress, National Road is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Pond Cypress, National Road will grow to be about 70 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations! This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. Flowers & Seeds Flowers are insignificant. Few to some clusters of 2" round cones appear in summer when the tree gets 8 to 10 years or older and drops in early autumn. 
