A Tree That Felt Extraordinary

The other day, I encountered a rare tree that I wasn't very familiar with, so I'd like to introduce it!
Its name is the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum).
It is a conifer native to North America, and in Japan, it is often planted in parks and along the edges of ponds.

Bald cypress:
・Cupressaceae family, Taxodium genus
・Bald cypress (also known as swamp cypress)
・Native to North America

Rare point 1: Deciduous conifer

First, what makes it rare is that it is a deciduous conifer. Since most conifers seen in Japan are evergreen, seeing it turn autumn colors and drop its leaves is a bit surprising. The branches, with their fine leaves arranged horizontally, look like bird

feathers. In autumn, these
drop their leaves along with the branches, which is why it's called "falling-feather pine" in Japanese. (Even though it's not a pine.)

Rare point 2: Aerial roots

The most distinctive feature is that it produces aerial roots!

Since bald cypresses prefer wetlands, these roots serve roles like helping the tree breathe or supporting it.

They are bumpy and look like the formations growing from the floor of a limestone cave. (Does that make sense?)
It's hard to believe they are actually part of a tree.

On the other hand, the overall appearance is tall and straight, and that contrast is interesting.

Conclusion

When I gaze at a bald cypress standing by the water, I feel like I'm looking at a foreign landscape.
I'd like to go see it again when the leaves turn color.