Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Bald cypress is a stately symbol of the southern Illinois swamps. The broad, buttressed trunk helps anchor the tree?an adaptation to life in the wet soil of the swamp. It is called the "bald" cypress because it sheds its leaves all at once in the fall, which is unusual for a conifer.

The strange-looking conical growths that project out of the water near the tree’s base are called "knees." They carry oxygen to the tree's underwater roots. Cypress knees develop masses of roots that help anchor the tree. The knees also create habitats for plants and animals. Snakes and turtles bask and prothonotary warblers build their nests on cypress knees.

Some bald cypress trees in Illinois are over 1,000 years old. They are the oldest living trees in the state.

The wood of bald cypress is very rot resistant and is often used as landscaping mulch.