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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Cupressaceae (incl. Taxodiaceae) (Cypresses) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: NA |
| Bloomtime: Not Significant |
| Synonyms: [Taxodium huegelii] |
| Height: 60-80 feet |
| Width: 20-40 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Taxodium mucronatum (Montezuma Cypress) - This beautiful Mexican native can grow in dry soils, however it will grow slower, or in well-watered areas like lawns. Montezuma cypress has a broad, spreading crown with strong, horizontal branches and delicate, weeping branchlets with pinnately arranged flattened bright green needles. The bark, often described as shreddy, is a pale tan color. The roots of trees growing in standing water can send up conical projections ("knees") but those that experience periodic drying out, such as those growing along stream courses or in cultivation, are less likely to form these. Plant in full sun and irrigate regularly to occasionally. Widely noted as hardy to around 10°F but we have been told that it can actually tolerate temperatures below 0°F . Typically planted as a large tree we have also seen this plant kept as a large interesting hedge. This tree is closely related to the deciduous bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) of southeastern United States but even in colder years Montezuma Cypress tends to hold some foliage, though it often turns an orange brown color, and in frost-free years is evergreen. This plant is native to much of Mexico and to the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas. There are many large specimens of this plant in Santa Barbara (the specimens in Plaza Vera Cruz Neighborhood Park are particularly notable) and Mexico's most famous tree; a giant specimen called the Tule is thought to be more than 2,000 years old with a girth of 165 feet. It has been said that the Tule at Santa Maria del Tule is the world's largest single biomass. This plant has long been in cultivation as Taxodium mucronatum but the current correct name is Taxodium huegelii - we retain the name Taxodium mucronatum until Taxodium huegelii gets broader acceptance.
Information displayed on this page about Taxodium mucronatum is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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