Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Plantae>Coniferophyta>Pinopsida>Pinales>Taxodiaceae>Taxodium ascendens Brongniart

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Pondcypress is a common deciduous conifer of pond margins and other wet areas of the Coastal Plain.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Pondcypress is very similar to Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), but the branchlets are usually ascending and the leaves are appressed instead of spreading laterally. Intergrades are not unusual and Pondcypress is sometimes considered a variety of Baldcypress.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

The ball-shaped cones are similar to those of Baldcypress.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens) bark

Bark detail.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Craven Co., NC 8/27/06.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Like Baldcypress, the leaves turn pale brown in the fall and the branchlets drop off, leaving the tree "bald". Some individuals are difficult to identify to species -- as a result Pondcypress is sometimes considered a variety of Baldcypress.

Bladen Co., NC 10/7/06.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Bladen Co., NC 10/7/06.

Bark of a young tree.

Craven Co., NC 8/27/06.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Bark of an older tree.

Bladen Co., NC 10/7/06.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Typical habitat in a Carolina bay.

Bladen Co., NC 10/7/06.

Pondcypress (Taxodium ascendens)

A small tree growing at the edge of a dried-up limesink pond at Carolina Beach State Park.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

 

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

More information:
Floridata
Virginia Tech Dendrology