The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that Bald cypress seeds do not germinate under water. Young seedlings eventually die if they are submerged longer than 30 days, according to the University of Florida. Therefore, plant young bald cypress trees at water's edge on firm soil or wait until a dry period lowers the water level. The seedling must establish in the moist soil with natural seasonal fluctuations of flood waters; only trees used to wet conditions over time readily survive constant submersion of their roots and lower trunk in water (less than 1 meter of constant submersion if memory serves me correct).
The only option to plant a constanlty submerged bald cypress would be using one that has already adapted to survive constant submersion. I do not know what the success rate would be to transplanting an older water adapted bald cypress from water to your pond would be.
Tupelo trees I have never dealt with.
Last edited by Tums; 01/30/13 12:18 PM.
