Baldcypress (from lower Deadman's Creek) 
Baldcypress trunk (originally from Medina River) |
Baldcypress of unknown origin |
The closest native baldcyress to our place are in Deadman's Canyon, where our creek enters the Pedernales River - several miles downstream from us. In 1976 we introduced two small plants, one originally from the Medina River and the other, at the time thought to be the exotic Montezuma baldcypress, given to us in a one gallon container - but in spite of its stikingly different habit this ID does not seem correct. In spring 1977 we collected numerous seedlings that had just germinated from the sandy edges of lower Deadman's Creek, five of which are pictured above, two below.
1994 |
1998 |
In an attempt to capture the difference in shape between the two trees that may represent distinct varieties, photographs of the bare trees were processed to remove all but the branches. The nearly horizontal branches of the tree of unknown origin contrast with those of the acutely branching T. distichum of Central Texas. Leaves, cones and individual seeds of the two types are also shown - with T. distichum on the left (smaller cone & seeds; shorter, stiffer leaves)
T. distichum |
T. distichum of unkown origin |
T. distichum cone & seeds on the left; T. distichum of unkown origin on the right |
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In any case I have been unable to find clear distinguishing characteristics that would resolve the ID, and so feel that the default should be simply to consider it a unique individual. The key in Correll & Johnston, Manual of the Vascualar Plants of Texas, does not provide any help, but they do state, of T. distichum (p. 75):
Individuals of this species exhibit some remarkable genetic differences. For example, near Saratoga two trees growing side by side have the appearance of two entirely different species.
Seeds from the larger trees have produced many seedlings and saplings of all sizes along the banks of our creek.
Seedling introduced in 1977 |
Cotyledons & shoot |
Although my experience with seeds has been limited, my best results have been when I collected cones, separated the seeds and planted in early fall, using 5-gallon pots which I then let sit in the creek all winter. A few newly-germinated seedlings were killed by a hard frost, but others germinated later. In recent years a large number of volunteers have arisen all along our creek and I may soon need to start controlling their spread.
Because of the resin in the cones, extracting the seeds can be a messy, sticky process. To clean my hands I first apply vaseline to emulsify the resin and only then use soap to remove the emulsion.