Range Taxodium distichum

bald cypress range



bald cypress on texas side of caddo lake

the native range extends southeastern new jersey south florida , west east texas , southeastern oklahoma, , inland mississippi , ohio rivers north southern illinois. oldest found reside in north carolina, older ones may exist elsewhere. mature planted specimens seen far north pittsburgh, , ottawa, ontario. in ottawa, in central experimental farm arboretum, average winter may kill quarter half of new growth. ancient bald cypress forests, trees more 1,700 years old, once dominated swamps in southeast us. largest remaining old-growth stands @ corkscrew swamp sanctuary, near naples, florida. , in 3 sisters tract along eastern north carolina s black river. corkscrew trees around 500 years of age , exceed 40 m in height. black river trees cored david stahle university of arkansas. dendrochronologist , dates range 364 ad. in northern , more inland part of range delaware , maryland williamsburg, virginia, found in groups growing in swamps , accompanied other hardwoods. in southern parts of range extreme southeastern virginia, virginia beach south florida , west texas, bald cypress can found growing loblolly pine , live oak, , may heavily covered in spanish moss. can observed in far northern part of range @ first landing state park, virginia beach, virginia. eastern north carolina down throughout florida , on southeast , south texas, bald cypress may accompanied in forests dwarf palmetto.

it native humid climates annual precipitation ranges 760 mm (in texas) 1630 mm (along gulf coast). although grows best in warm climates, natural northern limit of species not due lack of cold tolerance, specific reproductive requirements; further north, regeneration prevented ice damage seedlings. larger trees able tolerate lower temperatures , lower humidity.

in 2012 scuba divers discovered underwater forest several miles off coast of mobile, al in 60 feet of water. forest contains trees not dated radiocarbon methods since older 50,000 years old, lived in glacial interval of last ice age. forest contains trees well-preserved when cut, still smell fresh cypress. team, has not yet published results in peer-reviewed journal, studying site. estimated have less 2 years before wood-burrowing marine animals destroy submerged forest.