The bald cypress is a southern tree of ancient origin, the well-known cypress of Montezuma in the gardens of Chepultepec having been a species of Taxodium.  The tree is now confined to the swamps and river banks of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, where it often forms extensive forests to the exclusion of all other trees.  In those regions along the river swamps, the trees are often submerged for several months of the year.

How to tell them from each other:  In summer the larch may be told from
    the cypress by its leaves (compare Figs. 14 and 16).  In winter the
    two can be distinguished by their characteristic forms.  The larch is
    a broader tree as compared with the cypress and its form is more
    conical.  The cypress is more slender and it is taller.  The two have
    been grouped together in this study because they are both coniferous
    trees and, unlike the other Conifers, are both deciduous, their
    leaves falling in October.

[Illustration:  FIG. 14.—­Twig of the Larch in Summer.]

THE EUROPEAN LARCH (Larix europaea)

Distinguishing characters:  Its leaves, which are needle-shaped and about
    an inch long, are borne in clusters close to the twig, Fig. 14. 
    There are many leaves to each cluster.  This characteristic together
    with the spire-like form of the crown will distinguish the tree at
    a glance.

Leaf:  The leaves are of a light-green color but become darker in the
    spring and in October turn yellow and drop off.  The cypress, which
    is described below, is another cone-bearing tree which sheds its
    leaves in winter.

[Illustration:  FIG. 15.—­Twig of the Larch in Winter.]

Form and size:  A medium-sized tree with a conical head and a straight
    and tapering trunk. (See Fig. 90.)

Range:  Central Europe and eastern and central United States.

Soil and location:  Requires a deep, fresh, well-drained soil and needs
    plenty of light.  It flourishes in places where our native species
    would die.  Grows very rapidly.

Enemies:  The larch is subject to the attacks of a sawfly, which has
    killed many trees of the American species.  A fungus (Trametes
    pini) which causes the tree to break down with ease is another of
    its enemies.

Value for planting:  A well-formed tree for the lawn.  It is also useful
    for group planting in the forest.

Commercial value:  Because its wood is strong and durable the larch is
    valuable for poles, posts, railroad ties, and in shipbuilding.

[Illustration:  FIG. 16.—­Twig of the Cypress.]

Other characters:  The fruit is a small cone about one inch long,
    adhering to the tree throughout the winter.