Some had to see such an amazing tree as Swamp cypress. Today it is introduced into the culture and is planted in urban parks or artificial forests. Those who saw it in the autumn period may have wondered whether cypress cypress - coniferous or deciduous species? So what is so special about this tree?
Description of Swamp cypress
This tree has the second botanical name Taxodium two-row and belongs to the Cypress family, the genus Taxodium. This is a large species that grows up to 36 meters. Moreover, the diameter of the trunk can be 1-3 meters. Some especially large representatives reach 5 meters! Young cypress trees are distinguished by a narrow cone-shaped crown, but as they grow older it turns out to be more spreading. Swamp cypress - deciduous, but coniferous. By autumn, its bright green crown becomes red with a rusty tint and falls off. You can often notice that the taxium is braided with Spanish moss, which gives it additional exoticism.
The bark of the tree is quite thick, about 10-15 cm. It has a dark brown-red tone and deepened longitudinal cracks.
Swamp cypress has soft feathery leaves with rounded sharp tips. Their length is up to 18 mm. Cones up to 4 cm and in diameter 2.5 cm.
Features of the double row taxium
This tree differs from the others in its family with special root outgrowths called pneumophophores. They stretch 1–2 meters above the ground near a tree and can take the form of a cone or a bottle. Only recently was their purpose clarified. These are respiratory roots, allowing the tree to successfully endure prolonged flooding or grow in wetlands. It has been observed that if a tree grows in places with less humidity, respiratory roots do not appear around it.
Spread
Swamp cypress in the wild grows well near the banks of rivers with a weak current, as well as in the marshy area of North America. The tree was brought into the territory of the CIS, and today it can be seen in the Danube Delta in the Odessa region and Crimea. There is a taxium in the Krasnodar Territory and the Caucasus. This tree is often found on the shores of water bodies of Uzbekistan.
Due to the fact that wood is not prone to decay, it is actively used for construction work and in the manufacture of furniture.
Planting cypress swamp
Taxodium is suitable for propagation by cuttings, grafting and seeds. To increase the chances, a plant is planted in wet areas, such as near lakes or ponds. Before starting the planting, a drainage of 20 cm is made of sand and chipped bricks. The second stage is the preparation of the soil, which consists of sod land, humus, peat and sand (2: 2: 2: 1).
The tree planting depth should be at least 80 cm, but it is important to ensure that the root neck remains at the soil level. When purchasing seedlings, always look to ensure that the roots are not exposed, that is, they remain in an earthen coma and are wrapped in burlap or canvas. Landing should take place carefully. The fabric is also not removed, it will rot over time. A young plant needs abundant watering and moderate shading. Such measures should be followed throughout the season. If foliar top dressing is carried out using the Epin product, swamp cypress will take root better.
