Tree Tuesday: Cypress in the Winter
Over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed a few naturalist / photographer bloggers in this amazing community posting on Tree Tuesday. How could I, tree-hugger fanatic that I am, have missed this? I’m running incredibly behind on all of the wonderful places I’ve hiked and visited over the last few months, so while I play catch-up, at least I can post some of the magnificent TREES that I’ve spied.
Florida has an incredible assortment of flora — not just the palm trees that many developers like to plop down, after ripping up our beautiful natives. And they’re enormous. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon sections of pristine land, areas that weren’t cruelly and completely logged out in the 1930s and ’40s, you’re in for a real treat…. But sadly, few massive trees survived the logging operations of this time. While these trees are old, they’re probably 7th- or 8th-generation cypress. The loggers really did a number on Florida’s cypress populations. But if untouched, they could live to 500 years. The good news is, they’re now protected by various federal and state agencies!
In honor of our wonderful cypress swamps, some of the loveliest and most unique vistas to behold, here’s a shot of some cypress trees in a swamp, in the Big Cypress National Preserve (bordering the Everglades National Park) during the dry winter months.
Cypress Trees in the Big Cypress National Preserve
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 
As a child, I saw trees that looked like this on summer vacations in Louisiana. The trees inspired respect and awe in my young mind. Even to me, they seemed old and capable of inspiring a little dread.
Ah, you know them well, then, from Louisiana! They really do seem ancient, and are ALWAYS awe-inspiring, no matter how often I see them (errr…weekly! daily!). They’re fascinating flora, and are so very beautiful.
Thankfully, they’re now protected — and can grow, grow, grow!!
It wasn’t until I started going to Louisiana that I learned my idea of a swamp had been totally wrong. The water comes and goes – it doesn’t just hang around and create an awful, algae-ridden mess. This is a wonderful cypress photo – it captures some of the strength and mystery of these trees.
I’m SO glad that you said this… Since these swamps are such a part of my life, and I do see their waters come and go, I never think of them as stagnant. Never! They’re always flowing, always moving…. So full of life!
Thanks so much for bringing up that point — it really does highlight these wonderful ecosystems for those who don’t know them that well!
I LOVE old trees. I used to think about the changes in the world during an old tree’s lifetime. Mostly I thought that being out among the old trees can feel so timeless. That’s a sweet feeling of peacefulness to me. Any idea how old those trees are?
I am ALWAYS thinking the very same… My avatar, in fact, is me hugging a cypress tree in another area, a swamp we stumbled across that was untouched by the loggers of the last century. I nearly cried, it was so beautiful. Just to think of what this life has witnessed….
These trees are old, but they’re still probably 7th- or 8th-generation cypress. Those loggers really did a number on Florida’s cypress populations. But if untouched, they could live to 500 years. These guys were big, but not that old….
Some of my coolest inspirations were from seeing some redwood trees and some giant firs on the Olympic peninsula. When I lived near Colville, WA, we “owned” a few acres with giant Ponderosa Pine, Douglas fir and Western Larch. The trunks were three feet in diameter! I spent countless hours enjoying them; it was a decent house in a magical setting. We sold and moved to Walla Walla and the new owners cut down all the big trees. What a sad, terrible decision…..
Your descriptions of “your” trees are breathtaking (I used to live in the PNW, and remember those amazing beings)… but, oh, my heart just broke with your last sentences… I cannot FATHOM how anyone can do this, with such ancient life. Cannot…fathom. How?!? Trees are as much sentient beings as any other living creature on this planet. Have you seen the studies on electricity they’ve done with them? Fascinating.
I have not seen the studies. Where should I look? I have seen their impact on my spirit. The flip side came last summer, when some old giants crushed my car and the cabin I was inside of. But they missed me! I think they like me too! 🙂
Omigosh!!! Well, see… The cabin and car were in their way. EEKS!!! But they like you for SURE!!
I think I wrote a bit about it in this EARLY post…
https://serenityspell.com/2011/10/28/the-worlds-oldest-trees-protecting-our-ancient-living-citadels/
Even the medical community has proven their benefits of planting them to speed up patients’ recovery! And yet, we cut them down.
Tree Tuesday – sounds perfect for you. Can’t believe you missed it before 🙂
I know, when I started seeing it among others’ posts, I was seriously appalled! Where is my head sometimes? 🙂
Oooh! I may have to join in my my photo blog. Trees are some of my dearest friends. Yes, indeed!
Ditto, ditto!!! And the more who can spread their good words and beauty, the better!! 🙂
XO!
Very, very cool. I love Cypress trees. Great job. 😉
Thanks so much! They’re definitely some of my all-time favorites…. 🙂
Very very beautiful, love this!
Happy TreeTuesday! 🙂
Ah, thanks so very much! Cypress are so unique, it’s hard not to go wrong with them.
Happy happy Tree Tuesday to you, too (from me AND the trees)!! 🙂
the good thing about Tuesday is the next one is just around the corner, so there are plenty of Tree Tuesdays for you to celebrate. Glad to see you joining in on the fun. Cyprus trees are high on my list of tree to see in person.
Thanks so much! I’m thrilled to have discovered this… I have an unbelievable amount of trees weighing down my computer, since I’ve always had a kinship with them. On my hikes, they’re most certainly my focus. 🙂
Awesome tree photo ! I love how you made it funky. Perfect setting for those trees.
Spooky winter setting!! I love these trees… Every time I see them, they’re different.
The eeery cypress swamps! I grew up in Fla. but I don’t recall seeing them. And yet I do recall seeing them somewhere else in the deep south. They must have been far more prolific when I was a child in the 40’s. The decimation was unforgivable. We are our worst enemies.
You’re so very right…. When I think about how old they were, how huge they must have been…. SIGH. But at least they’re now protected by the state and government.
And if we can just protect the LAND they’re one, well — we can continue to enjoy them!! 🙂 I adore these trees and swamps. Always changing.
I didn’t know about Tree Tuesday either! Thanks for enlightening me. I’ll try to step up to the plate next week. But thanks, too, just for sharing those lovely cypress swamps with us!
YAY!! I’m so happy to spread the word… The more people who can convey the beauty of trees and speak to them, the better! From all over the world. 🙂
Beautiful photo Feygirl. Trees are gorgeous in many ways, I love trees.
Thank you so much!! I adore trees. ADORE them. I feel a tremendous kinship with them, always have…
Whenever I get around a cypress, I can’t resist taking it’s picture too. That means I have lots of cypress photos. (grin) Thanks for honoring this wonderful tree.
Haha! DITTO! My favorite areas to hike are the swamp… I have a ridiculous amount of cypress swamp and cypress trees overloading my computer. 🙂 But they’re oh-so-lovely….
There’s a “Tree Tuesday” ?!?! 😯 I had no idea.
Lovely photos of the cypress trees. I have been trying to improve my recognition of tree species by just looking at the bark of the tree trunks (a nice winter project up here in the north).
Ditto, imagine my surprise… Tree-hugger that I am! Haha! I’m so excited. Join in, spread the word to love our TREES!
Thanks so much…. What a WONDERFUL project! Wow. That would be relatively easy here, hmmmm, maybe — but I’d be lost in the North. 🙂 I’m gonna try it on my next hike, see what you’ve done?
I don’t know if you visited the Mt. Dora Canal, but I saw some of the most beautiful cypresses there. It’s really in Tavares, which is Central Florida. This is where some of the Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) movies were filmed.
I have been to Mt. Dora, but never to this area! THANKS so much for the suggestion…. I knew the Tarzan films were shot all around Central FLA, so funny. Back then, it really was very wild and lovely — hopefully we’ll return slowly to this state, balancing out the unnecessary amount of concrete we’ve poured on it.