Cypress
Cypress can live for hundred of years, has "knees" that
protrude above the soil, and loses its leaves in the winter, hence the "bald"
cypress name. Baldcypress is said to be the largest tree in North America east of the
Rockies. Several large cypress trees and swamps are in Florida and can be viewed and
experienced by boardwalks, rivers, and trails. The Florida state champion cypress, called
the Senator tree, is located in Big Tree Park near Longwood.
Cypress swamps are forested wetlands dominated by cypress trees and located along stream
and river banks, spring runs or in ponds with still or slow moving water. Swamps often
have long periods of flooding, and cypress is the most flood-tolerant of all the Florida
tree species. The species composition and different kinds of swamps are determined by
three environmental factors: hydroperiod, nutrient inputs, and fire. One kind of swamp--
the cypress dome--develops in a depression in the ground in pine flatwoods ecosystems; the
water in these ponds moves very slowly and only drains internally through the water table.
Top
Cypress and Its Relatives | History of Cypress Swamps in Florida | |
Baldcypress and Pondcypress | ||
Ecology | ||
Cypress Knees | ||
Where to Go to see Cypress in Florida
South Florida |
North Florida |
Central Florida |
Panhandle |
Cypress is a conifer in the Taxodiaceae Family, often called the Baldcypress
Family. The 14 species in this family are found in China, Japan, Formosa, Tasmania, and
North America. In the United States, cypress's only other relatives are the Sequoia and
Sequoiadendron genera which include the redwoods of California. Top
Although cypress was once widely distributed across North America, most of its
pre-historic forests are now extinct. Only three forms of the cypress genus, Taxodium,
remain: Baldcypress, Pondcypress, and Montezuma cypress. Baldcypress occurs in the
Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from Delaware to Texas and also in the Mississippi Valley
north to southern Illinois. Pondcypress is found in a more limited range with a northern
limit of Virginia. Montezuma cypress is a native of Mexico growing in the Central Plateau
along the Pacific Coast. Top
Size and Shape
Baldcypress is a tree growing to 150 feet tall and more than 6 feet in diameter. Its
leaves are flat, 1/2to 3/4 inches long and grow on both sides of the horizontal
branchlets. Pondcypress is a smaller tree with awl-shaped or scale-like leaves pressed
close to its pendulous branchlets.
These differences are distinct at some locations but not at others. This is because the
two varieties can interbreed causing varied characteristics to appear on the same tree.
Both varieties are deciduous, losing their leaves in the late fall and regrowing them in
the spring.
Baldcypress is a fast grower in height and diameter and having thin, tight bark compared
to pondcypress which is a small, slow growing tree with thick, shaggy bark. Top
Ecology
Baldcypress grows in and along flowing water: river swamps, stream banks, spring runs and
lake shores. Pondcypress is limited to ponds with still or slow-moving water. When
pondcypress is faced with soils poor in nutrients, such as the marl soils in the
Everglades or the clay soils in the Florida panhandle, growth may be extremely slow giving
the trees a stunted or dwarfed appearance. These trees are called dwarf cypress or
hat-rack cypress. Baldcypress grows at low stem densities in locations with moderate
water flow, high-nutrient availability, and rare forest fires. Pondcypress grows at high
stem densities on sites with slow-to-stagnant water, low- nutrient availability, and
occasional forest fires. Top
Cypress Knees
Both cypresses are known for their "knees" and buttressed trunks, but the
biological function of these is as yet undetermined. Some studies have reported that they
serve to supply oxygen to the roots of the trees and also anchor and support the tree in
an unstable environment. The knees are a part of the root system which grows above the
soil. Knees vary in height: some are reported up to 12 feet. Top
Where to Go to see
Cypress in Florida
Here are some of the many parks and other natural areas where cypress can be
found in Florida. Top
South Florida
The Everglades National Park.
This International Biosphere Reserve has one-third of its area covered by freshwater
marshes and cypress heads, while the other two-thirds covers coastal estuaries. Everglades
National Park includes the southernmost limit of the range of cypress in the United
States. An example of a stunted dwarf cypress forest with heights ranging from 2 feet to 7
feet may be seen along the southern part of the park along the road to Flamingo. Park
headquarters is located on Highway 9336, 10 miles southwest of Florida City. Phone: (305)
242-7700. Top
Big Cypress Swamp. The
following parks and preserves are all part of the Big Cypress Swamp, a vast area which
includes savanna-like forests of cypress along with marshes, pinelands and hardwood
forests covering all of southwest Florida. Cypress located in the Big Cypress Swamp are
either stunted pondcypress (also called pygmy, hat-rack, or scrub) or domes and strands
made up of larger cypress trees. Top
Big Cypress National
Preserve. This preserve, covering more than 700,000 acres, includes the heart
of the Big Cypress Swamp. Visitors have a chance to see cypress enjoying recreation
activities such as hiking, camping (free in most areas), canoeing and biking The Preserve
visitor center is located on the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) in Ochopee, about halfway between
Miami and Naples. Phone: (941) 262-1066. Top
Collier-Seminole State Park.
This park boasts 6,423 acres of cypress swamp, hardwood hammocks and mangrove swamps. It
is located on US 41, 17 miles south of Naples; 20200 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL. Phone:
(941) 394-3397. Top
Fakahatchee Strand State
Preserve. This preserve contains what is considered the most unusual
cypress-mixed hardwood forest in the U.S., as well as the world's only royal
palm-baldcypress forest. Impressive baldcypress forests and cypress domes are a common
feature here. One of the last remaining virgin cypress stands (which escaped being logged
during the 1940s and 1950), can be viewed from a 2,000-ft boardwalk immediately to the
north of a Seminole Indian village at the Big Cypress Bend on the Tamiami Trail. It's
exact location is on U.S. 41, seven miles west of the intersection of S.R.29. Preserve
headquarters are located on Janes Memorial Scenic Drive, just west of Copeland on S.R. 29.
Phone: (941) 695-4593. Top
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
This 11,000-acre National Audubon Society sanctuary is noted for its large wood stork
nesting colony and the largest remaining sub-tropical, old growth baldcypress stand in
Florida. There is a 5,800-ft boardwalk for excellent views of these giant trees, some over
500 years old. The sanctuary headquarters can be reached by taking Exit 17 (S.R. 846) off
I-75. Follow S.R. 846 east 15 miles, then turn north at the entrance sign, following
Sanctuary Rd. for 1½ miles. Phone: (941) 657-3771. Top
Loxahatchee National
Wildlife Refuge. This 145,635 acre refuge has a quarter mile-long boardwalk
leading to the interior of a cypress dome. It is also a favorite with bird-watchers. The
main entrance and refuge headquarters are located off U.S. 441 between Boynton Beach Blvd.
and Atlantic Ave., about 15 miles south of West Palm Beach in Boynton Beach. There are
also two other entries to the refuge, one located at the Hillsboro recreation area on S.R.
827 (Lox Rd.); the other at the Twenty Mile Bend Recreation Area entrance, on U.S. 98.
Phone: (561) 732-3684. Top
Highlands Hammock State Park.
One of four original Florida state parks, Highlands Hammock offers an extensive system of
nature trails and boardwalks through wetland hammocks including live oak/cabbage palm
forests and a large blackwater-river cypress swamp. To reach park headquarters take
Highway 27 until Highway 634 (Hammock Road) near Sebring, FL. Phone: (941) 386-6094. Top
Central Florida
Withlacoochee State Forest
(Richloam Wildlife Management Area). This forest is part of the Green Swamp, an
800-sq.-mile swamp system in west-central Florida (Larson 1995). Nature trails and camping
sites are available to experience the two major swamp communities: cypress/mixed hardwood
swamps and cypress domes. The Richloam Wildlife Management Area is the best place within
the state forest to see the cypress, best observed by taking Hwy 50 (exit off I-75). The
Baird tract is also a good place to see cypress, located east of Richloam along the same
highway. Maps and other information can be attained from the state forest headquarters,
located on Hwy 41, seven miles north of Brooksville. Phone: (352) 754-6777. Top
The Florida State
Champion Cypress Tree. The American Forestry Association and state forestry
agencies collect data on sizes reached by North American trees. Size is calculated by
measurements taken of the tree diameter, height, and crown spread. Based on the addition
of all these measurements, a tree is awarded a number of points. Trees with the largest
number of points may be classified as state or national champions. The current national
champion cypress is in Cat Island Swamp in north-central Louisiana with a score of 748
points. The Florida state champion (with 557 points), commonly referred to as the Senator,
is located along Highway 17/92, one mile northeast of Longwood, in the Big Tree Park.
There are areas to park alongside the road, near the Senator tree. Top
Silver Springs. Second- growth
baldcypress are abundant along spring edges and can be seen from the tour boats at one of
Florida's oldest amusement parks. Located near Ocala at 5656 East Silver Springs Blvd.,
Silver Springs, FL; Phone: 1-800-234-7458. Top
North Florida
The Suwannee River.
Baldcypress trees can be seen along almost the entire length of the Suwannee River, in
sloughs and backwaters. Though the Suwannee is the most easily visited river in this
region, cypress can also be seen along the Alapaha and Santa Fe Rivers, tributaries of the
Suwannee. One of the largest stands of baldcypress is at the confluence of the Suwannee
and Santa Fe Rivers. There, baldcypress grow along both banks of the Santa Fe and along
sloughs flowing into the Suwannee. Pondcypress in this region can be seen in many of the
sinkholes near the Suwannee. Publicrecreation areas in this region where cypress can be
seen are: Top
Manatee Springs State Park.
From the gushing springhead, a crystal-clear spring runs through a swamp of cypress, gum,
ash, and maple trees to enter the Suwannee River. A 1/4 mile boardwalk provides an inside
look at this beautiful river-bordered swamp. The Park is located at the end of S.R. 320,
off U.S. 98, six miles west of Chiefland. Phone: (352) 493-6072.Top
Morningside Nature Center.
A boardwalk provides a closer look at a pondcypress dome. Morningside is in Gainesville at
3540 East University Avenue, 2.5 miles east of Waldo Rd. Phone: (352) 334-2170. Top
O'Leno State Park. A
beautiful forest along the banks of the Santa Fe River, this park offers swimming, hiking,
canoeing and camping. Park headquarters are located on U.S. 441, five miles north of High
Springs. A convenient way to get to the park headquarters is to take Exit 80 (High Springs
exit) off I-75, which leads into U.S. 441. Follow 441 for five miles south until reaching
the park. Phone: (352) 454-1853. Top
Ichetucknee Springs State
Park. Baldcypress can be seen on all sides as you inner-tube or canoe down the
clear, sparkling Ichetucknee River. The park is in the Santa Fe watershed, four miles
northwest of Ft. White, off S.R. 47 and 238. Phone: (904)497-2511. Top
Suwannee River State Park.
Visitors can enjoy cypress by exploring the 1,800 acres of diverse forest communities
along the two main hiking trails--the Suwanee River Trail and the Lime Sink Run Trail. If
you seek a self-guided tour, both trails have labels explaining the hammock, its various
plants, and animals. You can also experience the cypress by taking a canoe ride down the
Suwanee River or the Lime Sink Run. This historic park is 13 miles west of Live Oak, off
U.S. 90. Phone: (904) 362-2746. Top
The Panhandle
Wakulla Springs State Park.
Visitors can enjoy one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs and the
Wakulla River from a glass bottom boat tour or on a river boat cruise. Fourteen miles
south of Tallahassee on S.R. 267 at S.R. 61. Phone: (904) 922-3633. Top
Apalachicola National Forest.
This national forest provides a variety of activities including camping, hiking, boating,
and canoeing. Some of the more easily accessible areas within the national forest for
cypress viewing are Wright Lake, Hickory Landing, Camel Lake, ad along the Apalachee
Savannahs Scenic Byway (Hwy 379). For more information contact the District Office, which
includes a visitor center, in Bristol on Hwy 20. Phone: (904) 643-2282. Top
Tates Hell. This is one of the
newest state forests, in existence since 1994. Within its 130,000 acres dwarf cypress,
reaching 6 to 7 feet tall and most being over 100 years old, can be seen. The two main
roads currently established for public use are Tower road and Buck Siding Road. A variety
of public recreational activities such as canoeing, biking, horseback riding and
picnicking are permitted in the park. It is located in west-central part of Franklin
county, near the base of the Apalachicola River. Phone: (904) 697-3734. Top
Choctawhatchee
River and Holmes Creek Management Area. Though the Choctawhatchee River is
little-known it is the third-largest river in Florida. Reports of some of the largest
cypress trees in Florida outside of Corkscrew Swamp are along this river. The area covers
approximately 51,000 acres and extends 41 miles along the Choctawhatchee River in Bay,
Holmes, Walton, and Washington counties--and nine miles along Holmes Creek. The best way
to see cypress here is by canoe, with several canoe liveries available in the area. Hiking
and primitive camping are also options. For more information, call the Northwest Florida
Water Management District office in Pensacola. Phone: (904) 484-5125. Top
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Okefenokee NWR is a two-state
park--primarily in southeastern Georgia, it overlaps into Florida northeast of Lake City.
It is estimated that 21 percent of this 430,000 acre swamp is made up of pure cypress or
cypress mixed with other species. Pondcypress predominates; baldcypress is relatively
uncommon. The west entry, via the Stephen C. Foster State Park, is 18 miles northeast of Fargo,
GA and can be reached by taking GA Hwy 94 (FL Hwy 2) to Hwy 177, which leads to the refuge
entrance. Canoe and motorboat rentals are available here for access to large baldcypress.
Camping and hiking is also an option. Phone: (912) 637-5274. The North entrance is via the
Okefenokee Swamp Park, a private, non-profit attraction. Phone: (912)283-0583. The east
entrance provides access to the core off the Okefenokee via themanmade Suwanee Canal. The
entrance is 8 miles southwest of Folkston, GA on State Hwy 121/23 and 3 miles west of the
main entrance sign. The refuge visitor center is located here as well as a 4,000-ft
boardwalk, where mainly pondcypress and some baldcypress can be observed. There is also
4.5 miles of hiking trail, boat and canoe rentals. Phone: (912) 496-7366. Top
History of Cypress
Swamps in Florida
The Very Old Cypress
Geologists believe cypress trees have been present in southwest Florida for just over
5,000 years and for around 6,500 years in the far northern region of the state. Some of
the old-growth giants still present in the Corkscrew Swamp are over 500 years old and
represent only the seventh or eighth generation of cypress located in this region. Cypress
has long been appreciated for its beauty, size and longevity. In recounting his travels
through Florida, William Bartram referred to the "majestic stature" of cypress
and described how "on approaching it we are struck with a kind of awe". Over 100
years ago enormous dugout canoes of cypress carried 20 to 30 Native Americans on trading
voyages across the Straits of Florida to Cuba. Top
Early Harvests
During the first half of the 20 th century, logging removed the majority of the large,
old-growth baldcypress trees in virtually all the swamps in Florida. The heartwood in
these trees, which required centuries to develop, was marketed as "tidewater
cypress", known for its durability, attractive appearance and workability. It got the
name "eternal wood" from long-term use as hollow logs installed as water pipes
in 1798 that were still working when removed in 1914 and reports of cypress shingles
lasting 250 years. Pondcypress was also extensively harvested but was not considered so
valuable, due in part to its tendency to develop heart rot. The expansion of the railroad
system in the 1900s was the catalyst for this boom in cypress harvesting. Products such as
cross ties, shingles, siding for buildings, pilings, ladders, soft-drink cases,
fenceposts, and stakes were marketed and sold nationally. Claims in displays of products
by the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association were that these cypress products had
been protected from termites for 300 years. Cypress knees were marketed as beehives and
birdhouses. Due to its ability to tolerate dampness, without affecting a liquid's taste or
odor, cypress was ideally suited for water tanks and cisterns. These new marketing tactics
increased demand which increased the production of cypress lumber from 495 million board
feet in 1899 to its peak in 1913, when more than one billion board feet were milled. Top
From Louisiana to Florida
By the Great Depression the cypress industry had virtually collapsed in Louisiana, and
Florida became the leading state in cypress lumber production. In 1931, Florida produced
144 million board feet compared to 52 million in Louisiana. The reason for Louisiana's
decline has been attributed to two factors: 1) economic and physical constraints to
forestry operations in wetland sites; and 2) most of the readily accessible, old-growth
timber had already been cut. Major logging areas in Florida were the Suwannee and
Apalachicola Rivers and parts of the Florida peninsula due principally to the ease of
floating logs down Florida's large rivers. In the following years, the cypress industry
experienced small rises and falls, with southern sawmills cutting 240 million board feet
in 1954 and less than 200 million board feet in 1980. Top
Recent Harvests
Today, in many of the previously harvested old-growth swamps, trees have grown to
merchantable size. Cypress harvesting is on the rise again. In the eight years preceding
the 1987 Florida inventory, 32 million cubic feet were harvested annually in Florida; in
the eight years before the 1995 survey, the annual harvest was 42 million cubic feet. To
compare to historical numbers, this included 140 and 113 million board feet of sawtimber
in 1987 and 1995, with landscape mulch becoming a large component especially in 1995.
While board feet of sawtimber produced in the '90s decreased, the increased total annual
harvest (from 32 to 42 million cubic feet) most likely reflects the growth in the mulch
market. The vast majority of cypress remaining in Florida are pondcypress, with an
estimated 592 million trees (5 billion board feet) compared to 68 million baldcypress
trees (2 billion board feet). Top
Uses and Benefits of
Cypress Swamps
Historically, interest in the commercial value of swamps centered around timber
harvest and drainage for land development. Today, with the public's interest in the
multiple benefits and uses of swamps, more thought is being given to multiple-resource
management. Understanding the importance of cypress swamps as isolated ecosystems and as
part of the interdependent whole has become important to maintaining the health of
Florida's environment. Top
Wood Products
Today cypress trees are harvested for two major products: sawtimber (dimensional lumber)
and landscape mulch. Of the 42 million cubic feet of timber harvested each year in
Florida, about 53% is cut into dimensional lumber at sawmills and 47% is chipped for
landscape mulch. Originally the cypress mulch industry began by using waste wood produced
from sawing operations. However, with the expansion of mulch-use in landscaping in the
last several years came an increase in demand for cypress mulch. This growing use of
cypress for mulch has contributed considerably to the harvesting of trees previously
considered too small to be merchantable and to the increase in pondcypress harvesting. In
the first half of the 20th century when 800- to 900- year-old virgin cypress was
harvested, large bald cypress trees with abundant heartwood produced decay-resistant
products for outdoor use such as cypress shingles, decking, paneling, water pipes, water
tanks, and even grave markers. Pondcypress was often used for lower grade products such as
poles and fence posts. Today, even though cypress wood still has the reputation for
durability, the smaller second-growth cypress trees have very little decay-resistant
heartwood and wood preservatives are necessary. Some of the products made from cypress
lumber today are fencing, interior paneling, and decking. Top
Wildlife Habitat
Cypress swamps provide habitat to many wildlife species, including some that are rare and
endangered, such as limpkins and wood storks. The density of plants in cypress swamps also
creates a favorable habitat for large mammals, and the abundance of hollow trees provides
homes for many birds and tree-dependent mammals. Wood ducks, for example, are common
residents and also consumers of cypress seeds giving them a reputation of being good seed
disseminators and contributing to the regeneration of cypress. Top
Recreation
Cypress swamps are very popular for use as recreation areas as parks, recreation centers,
wildlife refuges, as well as national and state forests. They are especially interesting
to the public in areas where they can be accessed by boardwalks and nature trails. This
access into swamps provide excellent opportunities for educating the public about the
benefits of wetlands to the state. With the growing interest in ecotourism (nature-based
recreation), visitors to cypress swamps in recreational areas as well as commercial
forests are expected to increase. Top
Wastewater Recycling
Cypress swamps can help in maintaining and enhancing water quality. Cypress ponds have
been documented to remove both phosphorus and nitrogen from secondarily treated
wastewater, by soil processes and plant uptake. After taking up these nutrients, cypress
growth can increase dramatically but there is some concern about the impact on wildlife
populations; the wastewater may affect plants and small organisms which animals depend on
for food and shelter. Top
Flood Control and
Groundwater Recharge
Cypress ponds are depressions in the ground that have the ability to hold more water than
soil of the same volume. Runoff from storms can be stored in cypress ponds making them
excellent flood control prospects. After the rainy season ends and water tables in
surrounding soils drop rapidly, these ponds can also contribute to recharging groundwater.
It is not clear yet, however, how purposely directing urban runoff to ponds might impact
plant and animal communities in theponds. Top
Conclusions
Swamps dominated by cypress, one of Florida's most beautiful and majestic
trees, occupy about 1.6 million acres or 5 percent of the state's landscape. Cypress is a
tree species within the Taxodiaceae Family, often called the Baldcypress Family.
Baldcypress and pondcypress are two varieties which grow in distinct habitats in Florida.
Baldcypress grows in and along flowing water such as river floodplains, stream banks,
spring run, and lake shores. Pondcypress is limited to depressions which form ponds with
still or slow-moving water. During the first half of the 20th century logging removed the
large, old-growth baldcypress trees in virtually all the swamps in the state. (The
durability, decay resistance, and appearance of this beautiful wood made it prized
throughout the United States). Today, many cypress trees are of merchantable size again
and harvesting of both varieties has increased to produce two major products: lumber and
landscaping mulch. Other benefits of cypress swamps include wildlife habitat, recreation
in numbers of parks and preserves, wastewater recycling, flood control and groundwater
recharge. Top