DECIDUOUS CYPRESS 49 



Deciduous Cypress 



(Taxodium distichum) 



TWO of the largest trees of this kind in cen- 

 tral London are growing near the Broad Walk 

 entrance to the grounds of the Zoological Society, 

 though others of equal height are to be seen 

 at Chelsea, Battersea, and in the central parks. 

 The Zoo trees, which are in a healthy condition, 

 are about 55 feet high, the largest stem girth at a 

 yard up being 5 feet 9 inches. 



But in many other districts, both urban and 

 suburban, the Deciduous Cypress grows freely, and 

 shows by the size to which it has attained that this 

 coniferous tree is peculiarly suitable for town planting. 

 It is a beautiful tree of fairly rapid growth, the distinct 

 pea-green tint of the foliage, which dies off a bright 

 reddish-brown in autumn, being much admired. By 

 the pond or lake side it does best, a plentiful supply 

 of moisture at the roots being necessary for the develop- 

 ment of the tree. Although a thorough water-loving 

 tree, the Deciduous Cypress by no means refuses to 

 grow in rather dry situations, under which condition, 

 however, the rate of growth is much slower. 



In the outskirts of London, as at Syon House, 

 this Cypress has attained to a height of over 100 feet, 

 the stem girth being 15 feet. Curious root pro- 

 tuberances or * knees ' are formed by this tree when 

 growing in damp situations, and in the specimen by 

 the lake at Syon House these growths, which present 

 a remarkably singular appearance, are of all sizes, 

 from mere knobs to 30 inches in height. 



