Taxodium distichum Rich (Baldcypress, Sumpfzypresse) - The Botanical Garden of the University of Basel

The baldcypress is a deciduous conifer native to the Southeast of the United States. The tree with a reddish brown trunk and a feathery foliage is generally found in wet swampy areas, often in standing water. It grows slowly and may reach heights of 25 - 40 m and trunk diameters of 2 - 5 meters. Ancient baldcypress  forests with some trees more than 1,700 years old, once dominated swamps in the southeast US.  The wood of the tree is known for its resistance to water and decay and is used for heavy construction, including docs, warehouses, boats, bridges, and interior trim. In colder climates, the trees are planted as ornamentals.