Bald Cypress-Taxodium distichum

Something to Ponder:

If you are driving or walking by a swamp or pond, especially in the southern part of the United States, you may notice several trees standing like ancient sentinels in the shallow water. Few trees can handle that kind of moisture without rotting or falling but the Bald Cypress can. Mostly found in the mid-Atlantic states and up the Mississippi River basin, the Bald Cypress is an impressive tree that can adapt to almost any circumstance. The tree is resistant to rot and disease and is a popular wood for loggers who navigate the muddy conditions.

The tree loses its needles early in the season, thus its name, and grows to a great age, some over 1000 years, and a great height, over 150 feet. A unique characteristic of the Bald Cypress is it’s “knees”. Surrounding the tree, especially in wet soil, are roots that go into the ground and then grow vertically around the tree providing support and nourishment.

The Bald Cypress is a strong, powerful tree, with a long life and a lot of support. While you look at this tree, think about the world and community you live in. Does it seem like everywhere you look there is turmoil and devastation? It could be your personal life that is nearing collapse, or your community and nation that is filled with hate and outrage. How important then is it to be part of a community of Christian believers who will approach Almighty God on your behalf. Or what has been called a “communion of saints” that collectively prays for grace and forgiveness for our community and nation.

Trying to grow and flourish in swamp-like conditions is hard. Let’s take a lesson from the Bald Cypress when looking for support and use our knees.

Learn More:

Bald Cypress-Taxodium distichum is a deciduous conifer native to the southeastern United States. Hardy and tough, this tree adapts to a wide range of soil types, whether wet, salty, dry, or swampy. Associated with the great swamp lands of the South, this feathery tree is often used in urban areas due to its ability to endure harsh conditions. Short yellow-green 1/2 inch needles appear in spring, turn copper in autumn then shed in winter. Tiny 2 inch pinecones then appear thereafter. The Bald Cypress is long-lived and slow growing. Old trees are usually hollow. A young Bald Cypress is symmetrical and pyramidal, developing a coarse wide-spreading head as it matures. The tree is valued for the rot-resistant heartwood of mature trees, so they have been widely used to make fence posts, doors, flooring, caskets, boats, cabinetry and more.