Bald Cypress Tree Seeds | Swamp Cypress | (Taxodium distichum)
Bald Cypress Tree Seeds | Swamp Cypress | (Taxodium distichum)
Ancient. Flood-tolerant. Spectacular in autumn.
Taxodium distichum, the Bald Cypress, is a tree that defies expectations. A conifer that sheds its needles, it thrives in standing water yet performs just as well on dry land. Native to southern swamps but hardy far into colder climates, it brings soft, feathery foliage that turns a rich coppery-orange each fall. Long-lived, adaptable, and visually striking, it is one of the most versatile and fascinating trees you can grow.
- Deciduous conifer with soft needles that drop in fall
- Exceptionally flood-tolerant, ideal for wet or low-lying areas
- Unexpected coppery-orange fall color
- Cold-hardy well beyond its native southern range
- Long-lived, with some trees exceeding 1,000 years
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It dates back to the age of dinosaurs.
Bald Cypress belongs to an ancient lineage over 90 million years old, with fossils nearly identical to modern trees found across the northern hemisphere.
The knees are still not fully understood.
The distinctive root projections, known as knees, may help stabilize the tree in wet soils and possibly assist with oxygen exchange, though their exact function remains debated.
The wood resists decay for centuries.
Bald Cypress heartwood contains natural preservatives, allowing it to remain intact even after long periods submerged in water.
It thrives far beyond wetlands.
Despite its swamp origins, Bald Cypress grows exceptionally well in standard landscape soils, making it far more versatile than most expect.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Taxodium distichum
- Stratification: Required; 90 days cold moist stratification
- USDA Zones: 4–11
- Soil: Extremely adaptable; tolerates flooded or dry conditions
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 50–70 feet in cultivation
- Spread: 20–30 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1.5–2.5 ft/year)
Plant it at the edge of water if you have it, or anywhere else if you do not. It will surprise you either way.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. They are stored under dry, cold conditions to preserve viability without initiating stratification, allowing you to time germination for your local growing season.
The exception is recalcitrant seeds. Because these seeds must remain moist to stay viable, they are kept in moist, cold storage and are therefore in a pre-stratified state. Depending on how long a particular batch has been stored, some may arrive with an emerging radicle and be ready to plant immediately. Radicle development is not guaranteed.
Please refer to the individual product page and included growing instructions for species-specific requirements.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes. Some species we offer, including Chestnut, Hazelnut, and Paw Paw, are recalcitrant and must remain moist to stay viable.
Please refrigerate these seeds immediately upon arrival unless they have already developed a radicle. Seeds with an emerging radicle should be planted promptly.
Do you ship internationally?
No. We currently ship within the United States only.
We previously shipped to Canada, but tariffs, duties, and import fees resulted in customers receiving significant and unpredictable additional charges upon delivery. Because we cannot reliably calculate or absorb these costs, we have suspended shipping to Canada.
At this time, we do not ship to Canada or other international destinations.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
• Hand-packed in resealable kraft paper seed bags
• Stratification and planting instructions included on every seed pack
• Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS within the United States and U.S. territories
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
If your order arrives damaged, contains incorrect items, or is missing items, please contact us within 7 days of delivery so we can resolve the issue.
