Fig. 18.—Cypress “Knees.”
Leaf: The leaves drop off in October, though the tree is of the cone-bearing kind. In this respect it is like the larch.
Form and size: Tall and pyramidal.
Range: The cypress is a southern tree, but is found under cultivation in parks and on lawns in northern United States.
Soil and location: Grows naturally in swamps, but will also do well in ordinary well-drained, good soil. In its natural habitat it sends out special roots above water. These are known as “cypress knees” ([Fig. 18]) and serve to provide air to the submerged roots of the tree.
Enemies: None of importance.
Value for planting: An excellent tree for park and lawn planting.
Commercial value: The wood is light, soft, and easily worked. It is used for general construction, interior finish, railroad ties, posts and cooperage.
Other characters: The bark is thin and scaly. The fruit is a cone about an inch in diameter. The general color of the tree is a dull, deep green which, however, turns orange brown in the fall.