PlantFiles: Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret'

Just a breif comment Japanese Beetles like all softer bald cypress .. maybe this one more?? but I wouldn't put that as a negative that is the nature of the beetle it likes those trees best along with many other including roses contorted filbert and cherries... but I have seen little difference inn their love for the bald cypress cultivars . seven works best with spreader sticker lasts two weeks with rain.

This a very ornamental and feathery little tree. It seems to hold onto leaves late in fall prolonging the rust brown effect. It is very tough. It doesn't care about whether soils are dry or wet just like the species. Fall color comes later than many other plants so the feathery green is a good contrast to other fall colors. There is one characteristic that seperates this plant though from that status quo of bald cypress a little bit, Japanese beetles love it and seem to favor it over other more typical feeding plants just for foliage. I list this as a concern for beetle prone areas specifically because for those who have little time to garden, that garden organicly, or don't want something higher maintenance, this tree may not be good for your location.

I have other bald cypresses that do barely get touched or as severely attacked, more specifically the true tree forms where foliage is more open or feeding material greater in quantity. The compact foliage of Peve Minaret make it much easier for the beetles to gather and feed while mating that only attracts more beetles because of pheromones. I had to clean this tree 3-4x a day of beetles for 6 weeks and after feeling I lost a summer to beetle control, I decided to do systemics. I just can't give this tree up like I have on some of my hardy hibiscus and roses.

I don't say this as a negative but only to help people be cautious or informed about purchasing an expensive dwarf tree that can easily be mutilated into a brown cloud without control if you have pets or health concerns about chemicals. Protection will be needed on this plant as it will not be able to grow big enough to replenish its food supply when it is constantly under attack as compared to larger shade trees. As the tree matures and growth slows I see this being a more significant issue. I would recommend being cautious planting this tree in areas of irrigation, locations near waterways or low spots where water can drain to and near golf courses where beetles will be a constant and heavy problem. Beetles are the only maintenance or cultural issue however. I have plants turn yellow from chlorosis but this plant seems to have no problem with it and even grows 1.5' a year in its young age. Tree is now slowing down near 8' in height