Common Problems With Bald Cypress Trees
Bald cypress is also known by the scientific name of Taxodium distichum and is the Louisiana state tree. Typically found in Southern swamplands, bald cypress thrives in moist soils where water is abundant. Bald cypress is susceptible to wood rot disease and insect infestations that can affect its health and appearance. Does this Spark an idea?
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Lack of Water
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Bald cypress grows best in areas that have very wet soil, mainly consisting of clay, sand or muck. Homeowners wishing to place this tree in their landscape must be aware of its high water requirements. Bald cypress seeds often fail to germinate in areas that do not have surface water. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bald cypress trees grow best in soils saturated for one to three months after planting. Bald cypress trees also have high light requirements for healthy growth, so avoid planting seeds in shaded areas.
Bagworms
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Bagworms are a common pest of bald cypress. This caterpillar measures 1/8 to 2 inches in length and damages trees by feeding on their foliage. Bagworms are named for the characteristic silky, brown bags they place on the branches of host trees. Bagworms may also infest wax myrtle, English ivy, crape myrtle, willow oaks and Indian hawthorn. However, bagworms will feed on any tree or plant. A single bagworm does not usually cause harm to trees, but heavy infestations can defoliate an entire bald cypress.
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Cypress Weevil
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The cypress weevil is an insect that infests weak or damaged bald cypress trees as well as pond cypress. Young bald cypress trees can also sustain damage from the cypress weevil tunneling through the stem and roots of the tree. The cypress weevil is about 1/2 inch in length and black. Cypress weevil larvae are grublike and C-shaped. The larvae tunnel under the bark and around the stem of the bald cypress. Adult weevils feed on young seedlings and twigs of the bald cypress tree.
Brown Pocket Rot
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Bald cypress is susceptible to wood rotting diseases. Brown pocket rot is a disease caused by the fungus Stereum taxodi, which attacks the heartwood of the bald cypress. Localized areas inside the tree have pockets of decay, forming "pecky cypress." The decay process halts when the wood is cut and dried. While many people use pecky cypress for decorating purposes, it renders the wood of the tree useless for construction that requires water-tightness.
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References
- Photo Credit cypress lake image by Stacey Lynn Brown from Fotolia.com
