Well, that is certainly a contradiction of terms. One might say it is an oxymoron. Decades ago, it really was how we classified what we now know more simply as ‘deciduous conifers’. There are not many of them. Ginkgo is a gymnosperm like conifers are, but is not really a conifer. Otherwise, there are only five other types of deciduous conifers, which defoliate through winter.
Laryx is a genus of about a dozen species that are known collectively as larch. Taxodium includes two species known as bald cypress, as well as a third evergreen species. Pseudolaryx amabilis, known as golden larch, Glyptostrobus pensilis, known as Chinese swamp cypress, and Metasequoia glyptostroboides, known as dawn redwood, are all three monospecific genera.
Some species of larch are common within their respective natural ranges. So are the bald cypresses. The others are quite rare. However, dawn redwood became a fad decades ago, so is not so rare in landscape situations. To those of us who expect all conifers to be evergreen, deciduous conifers seem to die suddenly in autumn. To some, it is not exactly a desirable characteristic.
The dawn redwood above lives in our landscapes. The tall evergreen trees behind it are native coastal redwood. Obscured by the yellowing birch to the right, a small giant redwood (another oxymoron) represents the third and only other species of redwood. The fall color of this dawn redwood appeals to some, but to others, it looks like one of the native redwoods abruptly died.
Our bald cypress below does not look so much like a dead redwood. The foliar texture and branch structure are quite distinct. The cinnamon brown fall color is actually rather appealing.
Of course, these pictures are nearly two weeks old. By now, both trees are likely bare because of the rain.
We have several Cypress at our park and there were MANY along the creek where I lived in Leland, Mississippi. They are very neat trees but I wouldn’t want any in my yard. Thanks for sharing!
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My concern with the one in the picture is that it might develop knees or buttressed roots. It is a high traffic area, where its root burls are already getting to be a tripping hazard. We may need to landscape a small area around it. Too many people like it to justify cutting it down now.
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There are several of these trees at the Chicago Botanic Garden. They lend a sort of prehistoric ambiance.
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Dawn redwood? Bald cypress is probably not so unusual there.
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Reblogged this on Tony Tomeo and commented:
Sadly, the bald cypress of the last illustration here was removed to relinquish space for outdoor dining when social distancing limited use of indoor dining facilities.
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