Added: 02/28/2006 |
Cypress: Florida's Grand TreeGeologists believe cypress trees have been present in Florida for around 6,000 years. Cypress can live for hundreds of years, and loses its leaves in winter. Baldcypress is said to be the largest tree in North America east of the Rockies. Cypress swamps are forested wetlands dominated by cypress trees and located along stream and river banks, spring runs or in ponds. Baldcypress is a tree growing to 45 m tall and more than 1.8 m in diameter. Pondcypress is a smaller tree.
Baldcypress grows in and along flowing water, while pondcypress is limited to ponds with still water. Big Cypress Swamp consists of the following parks and preserves: Big Cypress National Preserve; Collier-Seminole State Park; Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve; Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary; Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge; Highlands Hammock State Park. The Big Cypress Swamp is a vast area which includes savanna-like forests of cypress along with marshes, pinelands and hardwood forests covering all of southwest Florida. Visitors can
enjoy cypress by exploring Withlacoochee State Forest, Suwannee River State Park, O'Leno State Park, Tates Hell, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, located in Florida also. As a rule, these parks and national forests provide a variety of public recreational activities including camping, horseback riding and picnicking, hiking, boating, biking, swimming, canoeing.
During the first half of the 20th century, logging removed the majority of the large baldcypress trees in Florida. The heartwood in these trees was known for its durability, attractive appearance and workability. Hollow baldcypress logs installed as water pipes in 1798 were still working when removed in 1914. Due to its ability to tolerate dampness, without affecting a liquid's taste or odor, cypress was ideally suited for water tanks and cisterns. Pondcypress was also extensively harvested but was not considered so valuable, due to its tendency to develop heart rot. Cypress swamps provide habitat to many wildlife species, including some that are rare and endangered, such as wood storks and large mammals. Historically, interest in the commercial value of cypress swamps centred 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. Cypress swamps are very popular for use as parks, recreation centres, wildlife refuges, as well as national and state forests.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, one of the best theme parks in the USA, derives its name after Cypress. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, located near Winter Haven, Florida, has over 8,000 varieties of plants and flowers, including of course the Cypress trees. Main attractions include stunning plant displays, waterskiing shows, a butterfly house, a model railway lay-out and numerous rides including Water Rides, Thrill Rides, Family Rides and Kid Rides.
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