• Home
  • Coniferous Animals
  • Coniferous Trees
  • About Us
  • Contact
Home > Cypress > Montezuma Cypress

Montezuma Cypress

The Montezuma cypress is a deciduous, coniferous tree found from Central America to the Southern parts of North America where it generally grows next to water bodies. Known to develop huge trunks, the Montezuma cypress is a fairly hardy plant not affected by common diseases.

Montezuma Cypress

Montezuma Cypress

Montezuma Cypress Bonsai

Montezuma Cypress Bonsai

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Cupressaceae
Genus Taxodium
Scientific Name Taxodium mucronatum
Mexico National Tree

Mexico National Tree

Sabino Tree

Sabino Tree

Quick Information

Also Known As Montezuma bald cypress, Mexican Cypress; sabino, ahuehuete, ciprés, pénjamu, Ciprés de los Panatanos [Spanish]
Similar To Bald cypress, Pond cypress
Size 130ft (40m) tall; trunk diameter of 3.3-9.9ft (1-3.1m)
Leaves (Needles) Arranged spirally, twisted at the base; 0.39-0.79in (1-2cm) long, 0.039-0.079in (1-2mm) broad
Flowers Inconspicuous
Fruits (Cones) Ovoid; female cones are dry and hard, measuring 1-3 inches in length
Tree Type Evergreen or Semi-evergreen
Distribution From Southern Texas in the US through Mexico down to the Northern part of Guatemala
Hardiness Zone 6-10
Lifespan Long-lived
Growth Rate Fast
Growing Conditions Summer Conditions:  Dry summers with constant water requirement
Soil: Clay loam, sandy loam, medium loam, sandy, clay; wet and moist
Light Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: High
Diseases and Pests None
Flowering Season Spring
Seed Production Seeds mature in October
Seedling Development Seeds germinate quicker with ample moisture, less so during drier months
Propagation With seeds and cutting
Wildlife Value Nesting site for many animal species, seeds are devoured by many small animals, especially rabbits
Cultivars Weeper Montezuma cypress
Uses As an ornamental or as a shade tree; wood used to make furniture and house beams; the Aztecs used its resin to treat ulcer, gout, and toothache
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Montezuma Cypress Tree

Montezuma Cypress Tree

Montezuma Cypress Pictures

Montezuma Cypress Pictures

Montezuma Bald Cypress

Montezuma Bald Cypress

Interesting Facts

  • The ‘El Árbol del Tule’ Montezuma cypress in Oaxaca state of Mexico is believed to be between 1,433-1,600 years. It has the thickest tree trunk in the world.
  • The Montezuma cypress is the national tree of Mexico.
  • The weeping form of Montezuma cypress was introduced by Dan Hosage in the year 1992.
Montezuma Cypress Leaves

Montezuma Cypress Leaves

Ahuehuete Tree

Ahuehuete Tree

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxodium_mucronatum
  2. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Taxodium_mucronatum.php
  3. http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/content/TreeDetails/?id=122
  4. https://www.onlineplantguide.com/Plant-Details/2615/
  5. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/34029/2840943

Published on September 5th 2016 by Sudipto Chakrabarti under Cypress.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Recent Posts

      • Cedar Tree of Lebanon
      • Eastern Red Cedar
      • Black-backed Woodpecker
      • Eastern Gray Squirrel
      • Bohemian Waxwing
      • Norway Spruce
      • Douglas Squirrel
      • Northern Goshawk
      • Bighorn Sheep
      • Eastern Milk Snake
      • Ovenbird
      • California Redwood
      • Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
      • Foxtail Pine
      • Snow Goose
    • Categories

      • Coniferous Forest Animals
      • Coniferous Forest Plants and Trees
        • Cedar
        • Cypress
        • Fir
        • Hemlock
        • Juniper
        • Larch
        • Pine
        • Spruce
        • Yew

© 2023 (Coniferous Forest). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.