Cypress Trees

Cypress trees are tall trees that stay green all year. They have small, scale-like leaves instead of normal flat leaves. Some cypress trees grow in dry places, and others grow right in swampy water. Many cypress trees live for hundreds of years.

Different Kinds

There are many types of cypress trees around the world. Italian cypress trees are tall and skinny and look like green rockets. Bald cypress trees grow in swamps in the southern United States. Their roots stick up out of the water in funny shapes called knees. Each kind of cypress has its own special look.

Strong Wood

Cypress wood is very tough and lasts a long time. It does not rot easily, even when it gets wet. People have used cypress wood to build boats, houses, and furniture. Some ancient Egyptian coffins were made from cypress wood. The wood also has a nice smell that bugs do not like.

Fun Facts

• A bald cypress in Chile is thought to be over 5,000 years old.
• Bald cypress trees lose their leaves in winter, even though they are a conifer.
• The knees of bald cypress help the tree breathe in swampy water.

Did You Know?

Cypress trees are often planted in cemeteries because they have been seen as a symbol of long life and remembering loved ones.