How to Grow Baldcypress From Cuttings
The baldcypress is a fast-growing deciduous tree that produces needles and grows in a pyramid shape. The tree reaches a height up to 100 feet and is hardy to plant in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10. Propagate the baldcypress tree by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer from the new growth on 2- to 3-year-old trees. Baldcypress is commonly found in swamps, and it will grow knee-shaped roots that protrude from the ground in wet environments.
Wash cutting tools with a solution that has a one-tenth concentration of bleach to water to prevent disease contamination through the plant's open wound. Allow the tools to dry prior to using.
Take 6- to 8-inch semi-hardwood stem cuttings from the baldcypress with a sharp knife. The cutting should be from the current year's growth as the stems are beginning to harden after the tree has completed the spring flush of growth.
- The baldcypress is a fast-growing deciduous tree that produces needles and grows in a pyramid shape.
- Propagate the baldcypress tree by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer from the new growth on 2- to 3-year-old trees.
Purchase rooting medium and lightly dampen it with water. Fill a rooting tray with the medium and set aside.
Remove foliage from the lower half of the bald cypress stem and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Stick the cutting into the rooting medium tray and firm the soil to hold in place. Space the cuttings so they do not touch one another.
Mist the bald cypress cuttings and medium with water and cover the tray with a plastic bag. This will hold in moisture and humidity, which is required during the rooting process.
- Purchase rooting medium and lightly dampen it with water.
- Stick the cutting into the rooting medium tray and firm the soil to hold in place.
Place the covered tray in a warm location that has indirect light. Monitor the moisture level in the tray and mist the medium with water as needed to prevent the cuttings from drying out.
Pull on the cuttings after six weeks of growth to see if there is resistance from root formation. Transplant the cuttings to 4-inch individual growing containers once the roots are at least 1 inch in length. Continue to grow the baldcypress cuttings indoors for the first year.
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Jennifer Loucks has been writing since 1998. She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. She now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and business from University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
