Trees

Taxodium ascendens 'Morris'

Debonair pond cypress

Debonair™ pond cypress ('Morris'), autumn colour at Plant Delights Nursery, North Carolina, November 2025. Photo: Tom Christian / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0

Debonair is a narrow, uniform pond cypress with fine green foliage that turns rusty brown before falling in autumn. Its upright outline makes a tall accent while the deciduous canopy reveals the branches in winter. Established plants tolerate moisture-retentive and even submerged soil, making this large tree particularly useful beside water or in low ground.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun
Size: Height: 17–18 m · Width: 5–6 m
Water: Moisture-retentive soil; established trees tolerate submerged conditions.
Hardiness: USDA zone 4 minimum

Sizes & prices

#7Pond Cypress$189.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

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Landscape use & tree form

Form: Narrow upright, uniform
Use: Large lawn or park specimen; wet sites
Growth rate: Fast

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Parent species is only mildly resistant to deer damage.
Drought: Established pond cypress tolerates dry periods; prolonged drought can trigger early leaf drop. Species-level guidance.
Wet soil: Established plants tolerate moisture-retentive or submerged soil.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Birds: Seeds provide food
Evidence: Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Deciduous; green, rusty-brown in autumn

Growing & care

Soil: Acidic, moisture-retentive soil; alkaline soil can cause yellowing from iron deficiency.
Pruning: Retain the leader and natural branching; routine pruning is limited to dead wood or lower branches that obstruct necessary clearance.
Issues: Root knees may develop near water. In dry summers, watch for mites; bagworms and twig blight can occur.

Sources & photo credits

NVK Nurseries

University of Minnesota Extension

NC State Extension

www.udel.edu

University of Florida IFAS Extension

boldspring.com

Photo: Tom Christian / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web. · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image notes: Debonair™ pond cypress ('Morris'), autumn colour at Plant Delights Nursery, North Carolina, November 2025. Photo: Tom Christian / Trees and Shrubs Online, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.