imbricatum) rather than as a distinct species, but it differs in habitat, occurring mainly in still blackwater rivers, ponds and swamps without silt-rich flood deposits.

[citation needed]Due to the dry nature of the habitat for the pond cypress, it has developed thicker, fire resistant bark.

[citation needed] Taxodium ascendens is most frequently found in the southeastern United States ranging from Virginia to Louisiana.

[10] Pond cypress are most frequently found in isolated depressions fed by nutrient poor, shallow ground water.

[7] Taxodium ascendens grows easily in average, medium to wet, moisture-retentive but reasonably well-drained soils in full sun.

"[13] Taxodium ascendens is typically used for ornamental purposes or decoration in more urban environments unlike the bald cypress which can be used in heavy duty construction.

[4] Like many other large semiaquatic plants, Taxodium ascendens roots and trunk provides structural complexity to shelter to young aquatic animals such as the larvae of amphibians and juvenile fish.

[7] Taxodium ascendens is susceptible to fires during the drier arid seasons where ponds lose the majority of their water but these trees have developed a thicker bark to better survive these conditions.