bald cypress

treenutt

I planted 6 bald cypress last year at the edge of my pond to help control erossion. We had to water them last summer due to drought, but this year we have some rain and the cypress trees are in the water about 1-2". recently I have noticed on some of the trees, that the tips of the branches, the "leaves" are turning dark brown and the same trees are not taking on the dense foliage as they should. 3 of the trees look very healthy, but the others dont. Any explanation? Thanks in advance.

treenutt

the bald cypress tress are only 3 year old. thanks

Eric Frei

Any chance of some pictures?

They can be bog tolerant, but could also be a shock if inundated suddenly and cannot adjust I suppose.

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glennak

Possible if they have been under a long time. They grow breathing roots above water level over time but not if they are dead.

Davo The Terrible

I have heard that they are quite susceptible to "damping off" which is quite odd for a wetland tree, but normally this happens when the seedlings are quite young. Otherwise, my guess would be along the lines of what Ekka has said - the trees are shocked as they are not adjusted to the conditions.

TreeSpecialist

Are you sure they are bald cypress and not the Montezuma cypress?

Bald cypress enjoys moist conditions but needs dry land to get established. They won't establish underwater. Cypress forms "knees" that stick out abouve the water line to breathe.

Even along water courses, when the roots come out of the stream bank the roots turn and go right back into the soil. They don't put roots into water voluntarily

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treenutt

I am 100% sure that it they are bald cypress trees. I only plant native trees from east texas on my property. I orderd them from the texas forest service. I dont live on the property, but will be going there this weekend. I will try to remember to take pictures. The only water they were exposed to the last two years is what water I used to water them with. This past winter is when the pond received enough water to reach the trees. Should I fertilize them or wait until I send you guys the pictures? Thanks I really appreciate your services. I took a dendrology class in college so I know some about trees, but near as much as I want to. Again, thanks for taking the time out of your day to help us people identify our tree problems.

TreeSpecialist

Just because they were on the edge of a pond doesn't mean they received enough water to survive.

Texas has only recently come out of a protracted 2 year drought billed as the worst in over 60 years.

Young trees often need to be watered daily when first getting them established. Not living on the property and planting the trees during a drought
may be a larger part of your problem.

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treenutt

tree specialist, you are right on the watering not being enough especially on a fast growing tree as the bald cypress. I could tell last year when they needed water and after i watered them. Big difference. There is a family member at my property now and I had him look to see where the water was in realtion to the trees. He said that the trees that are healthy, are the ones still in the water, but the trees where the water has already receeded, are the ones looking sick. But he also said that the sick looking trees are looking better. Maybe it was the trees adaptation to not having been in the water that made the trees look unhealthy. If they are still looking sick this weekend, I will take and send pics. Thanks everyone for all the help.

Eric Frei

Well, where's our pics?

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Paul Toivonen

A history is needed.
I have been back to jobs where I have used drought tolerant sp. ,had 90% failure rate!!!
Asked the client what's going on "Oh we didnt water them."
I was surpised the 10% survived.
The first 2 weeks are critical, if they turn during this period you will struggle to get them back.
Depends a lot on time of year planted too.