A cypress is a type of evergreen tree with small, scale-like leaves and wood that resists rot. These distinctive trees grow in warm climates around the world, from the Mediterranean to the southern United States. Unlike deciduous trees that drop their leaves each fall, many cypresses stay green year-round.

One well-known American cypress is the bald cypress, which thrives in swamps and wetlands. These trees develop strange, knobby roots called “knees” that stick up above the water, helping the tree in soggy soil. Spanish moss often drapes from their branches, giving southern swamps their mysterious atmosphere. Despite being called “bald,” these cypresses actually lose their needles each winter, making them unusual among conifers.

Because cypress wood naturally resists water damage and insect attacks, people have used it for thousands of years to build boats, outdoor furniture, and roofing shingles. The ancient Phoenicians built some of their trading ships from cypress. Today, builders still prize it for docks and decking.

In many cultures, cypresses symbolize mourning or eternal life because they stay green through all seasons and live for centuries. You'll often see tall, narrow Italian cypresses planted in cemeteries throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, their dark shapes pointing skyward like living monuments.