A common large deciduous conifer of swamps and other wet areas of the Coastal Plain. The feathery pale green leaves grow on a plane on either side of the branchlets. The leaves turn pale brown in the fall and the branchlets drop off, leaving the tree "bald". Baldcypress is often planted as an ornamental and thrives in much drier and colder areas than it grows naturally.

Very similar to Pondcypress (T. ascendens), but the branchlets in that species are usually ascending and the leaves are appressed instead of spreading laterally.

Columbia, NC 10/2/05.

Female cones are ball-shaped. These are not yet ripe.

Columbia, NC 10/2/05.

Male cones are in long, drooping panicles.

Dare Co., NC 10/2/05.

Bark of a small tree. The bark is sometimes broken into squares like Alligator skin. It is often fibrous and "shreddy", though you can't tell that from these photos.

Columbia, NC 10/2/05.

Bark of a medium-sized tree. The difference in apparent bark color is due to time of day -- this was photographed mid-day, while some of the other photos on this page were taken in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun.

Columbia, NC 11/1/05.

Bark of a large tree.

Dare Co., NC 10/2/05.

The trunks of trees growing in wet areas are buttressed. In waterlogged areas, "knees" are usually found.

Greenville, NC 11/6/05.