Bald Cypress Trees

Guest Article for the Tallahassee Democrat

December 16, 2022, Release for the Tallahassee Democrat

Stan Rosenthal

By Stan Rosenthal

I have always liked the Florida Highwayman paintings. Many of their paintings do a great job of romancing the swampy areas of Florida. If I had to pick a tree that best represents Florida swamps, it would probably be the bald cypress.

The author by a huge bald cypress in St. Marks River Preserve State Park. – Photo by Stan Rosenthal.

Interestingly, this redwood of the southeast, is represented by two separate species. The pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) and the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). The bald cypress is the larger of the two trees and grows in more fertile areas, especially along rivers. The pond cypress, as its name implies, grow where the water is more stagnant, and the soils are less fertile. While difficult to tell apart, the pond cypress has more feathery foliage. I planted one at my old office and everyone fell in love with it.

One of the main attributes of both cypress species is its ability to withstand much of what our Florida environment throws at it. It is one of our most wind sturdy trees. Research by the University of Florida placed it in the highest of four categories in its ability to survive hurricane force winds. Bald cypress is also fire resistant. I have seen where bald cypress trees survived wildfire damage better than pine trees growing right next to it. Granted, the times I have observed this, the cypress were often in a slightly wetter spot, but these trees also resprouted along their trunks and branches like many hardwood trees, despite most of the foliage being burned off from the fire.

Huge cypress knees in St. Marks River Preserve State Park. – Photo by Stan Rosenthal.

Although fire can seem initially quite destructive to many of our wetlands, it has been found that the long-lived, but shade intolerant bald cypress often benefits from fire as it kills back competing vegetation so that the more fire tolerant bald cypress can reseed in the now newly cleared seed bed.

In the wild, groups of bald cypress trees growing along rivers and estuaries are frequently used as rookeries or roosting by turkeys, nesting herons, egrets, and other wading birds. Older trees with cavities often have holes that make good cavity nesting sites for many birds. Eagles and osprey may build nests in large old cypress trees. Their seeds are a food source for ducks, wild turkey, songbirds, squirrels, and some wading birds.

Of course, I have left out one of the bald cypress’s most peculiar qualities, its knees. We have learned that under the knees of bald cypress there are more roots. It seems that this is an adaptation for more wind sturdiness. Also interesting, is that in urban areas, you only get knees if your soil is really compacted or you are overwatering your landscape.

Huge bald cypress in St. Marks River Preserve State Park. – Photo by Stan Rosenthal.

Surprisingly, bald cypress grows very well in upland soils when planted as an urban tree, planted from a pot in a mulched area of a lawn, as it is freer from the competition from other plants. Fortunately, we have found that on these sites, those cool, but potentially bothersome knees don’t occur unless the soil is really compacted or over watering occurs. Bald cypress in urban settings has been found to be a relatively disease free and a very wind sturdy tree. Another advantage of bald cypress, is that its needles turn a nice russet in autumn before they fall to ground, letting in winter sun when we enjoy it. Many people that planted them are very happy with this tree in their yard.

If you decide to plant a bald cypress, or any other tree, it really makes a big difference in both survival and growth rate if you use good planting and establishment methods. An informative website for this can be found at the UF/IFAS Planting trees in landscapes page (https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting.shtml).

Stan Rosenthal is a forester with Natural Resources Planning Services and Forestry Agent Emeritus with UF/IFAS Extension Leon County, an Equal Opportunity Institution. For gardening questions, email the extension office at AskAMasterGardener@ifas.ufl.edu.

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The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), who oversees the maintenance of the facilities and grounds at the Capitol, had become concerned because the foliage of these two trees was beginning to die off. Over the years, site renovations on the Capitol grounds have adversely impacted the root systems of these two trees. In addition, the wind appears to have ripped a large limb from the trunk of one tree years ago. Marcus surmised that the foliage decline has probably been caused by a combination of these factors. “Soil compaction and grading within their root zones can impact the vitality of larger trees,” Marcus explained. “We have applied treatments designed to restore this vitality.”

Marcus applied a two component treatment to these trees. The first component was an injection of a fertilizer formulation designed especially for trees. This formulation is called Palmjet which was developed by Arborjet Inc. Palmjet is injected into plugs that are embedded around the circumference of the lower trunk base using specialized Arborjet equipment. “The advantage of injecting the fertilizer is that the entire amount goes into the tree’s vascular system and remains there for up to two years. None gets bound up in the soil and none is leached into the groundwater,” Marcus stated. “The nutrients contained in Palmjet can enhance foliage growth and improve overall tree health.”

The second treatment was an application of Shortstop Tree Growth Regulator (TGR) into the soil at the base of the trunk. Utility companies have used TGR’s for almost 40 years to reduce the growth rate of trees in places where repeated tree pruning to maintain line clearance is impractical. Over the years, TGR’s have been found to also provide health benefits to the trees where they are applied. These include improved drought resistance and faster sealing of wounds. Growth of the above ground portion of the tree is reduced but the growth of fine feeder roots is enhanced.

For the past four years, LAS arborists have been treating trees in a similar manner for inidvidual homeowners, homeowner associations, government entities, universities, and commercial businesses. They also utilize the Arborjet injection system to treat insect and disease problems in their initial stages. Anyone who has concerns about the trees on their properties or the properties they manage can contact an LAS arborist at 850-570-5963.

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With the hiring of Charlie Marcus in 2014, NRPS established its first official footprint in Tallahassee / Leon County.  Charlie, having previous employment with the Florida Forest Service (FFS), formerly the FL Division of Forestry, brought a diverse background in fire & forest management in various positions throughout the state.  Additionally, Charlie served as the FFS Urban Forestry Coordinator for the final ten years of his FFS employment.  In this capacity, Charlie interacted with urban forestry practitioners across the state from Key West to Pensacola assisting with tree workshops, Urban & Community Forestry grants, and programs such as Tree City, Tree Line, & Tree Campus USA.  Charlie now serves as the NRPS Urban Forestry Manager, while also participating in other forestry services offered by the firm.  Charlie’s experience and expertise has expanded NRPS’ footprint in arboriculture, utility corridor tree/vegetation management, and municipal urban forestry across Florida and South Georgia. 

Recently, NRPS added Stan Rosenthal to the Tallahassee staff.  Like Charlie, Stan started his career in Florida in employment for FFS.  He then served for over two decades as the UF-IFAS Leon County Forestry Agent and is a well-known & trusted local resource for anything “forestry”.  In this role he promoted the educational understanding and effectiveness of urban and traditional forestry to the benefit the community at large, both in Leon County and elsewhere in Florida and South Georgia.  Stan’s current focus is on urban & traditional forestry consulting, forest advocacy for non-profits like the Florida Wildlife Federation, and educational workshops & classes in various subject matters including arboriculture, traditional forestry, forest restoration, wildlife management, and best practices & professionalism in respect to harvesting timber. 

So, whether you have a question about an individual tree or seek forest management advice on a large timberland tract, Charlie & Stan stand ready to provide quality services backed by extensive knowledge & experience, and delivered with trust & care.   

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We are excited to announce that 2014 marks a very special year for us – our 40^th Anniversary! Our founders Jack Vogel and Tom Mastin started this forestry consulting firm on May 29, 1974. With the support of our staff and clients the firm has grown exponentially and now operates out of four offices, three offices in Florida and one office in Georgia.

“When Tom Mastin and I started Natural Resource Planning Services, Inc. in 1974 we couldn’t see to 2014. It got here fast. Thanks to our wonderful and loyal clientele and a unbelievably talented staff there is every reason to look to 2054 with the same excitement that helped create the firm.” – Jack Vogel, founder and Principal.

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