Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum

Note, this tree is native to Illinois, but only the far south part of the state. You can see some that are over 1000 years old there! Cache River Natural Area

Despite being able to live in a wetland, where it will grow projections called 'knees' to breathe, it can do well in a large yard. It is great for areas that flood with much rainfall, if you have a lot of vertical space! They can get BIG! See photo where it dwarfs the human.

Gets a lovely orange fall color before it drops its needles for the winter, unlike most evergreens. Its seeds grow in one-inch spherical cones on the female trees. They break open and release their seeds in the fall. Squirrels and birds may eat them. Male cones are tiny, and release their pollen in spring.

Several species of native moth and beetle may feed on the foliage.

Light: Full sun to part shade

Soil: Wet to medium

Height: 40-80 feet

Width: 25-40 feet

Blooms: May

See more information and photos at: Illinois Wildflowers and National Wildlife Federation

Photo credits 1,2 Wikimedia, 3-5 Possibility Place