BALD CYPRESS

Bald cypresses are abundant in the marshy areas of the Historic Triangle.Most of them are young trees but one located on Powhatan Creek near Jamestown was probably a large tree when the settlers arrived in 1607. Today it is twelve feet in diameter and still hearty despite one side's being completely burned in years gone by.

Another interesting cypress can be seen on the western side of Jamestown Island about three hundred feet out in the river. Authorities on the Island know that this tree was on dry land 150 years ago and believe the Jamestown colony was located just inland of the lone tree. Erosion before 1901 was responsible for the loss of much of that property.

The smooth cone-shaped stubs rising out of the water around cypress trees are "cypress knees" and it is generally believed they provide air for the root system. On high water the "knees" provide excellent cover for many species of fish.

The leaves of the bald cypress are flat and pea green during the spring and summer months but turn a russet brown before dropping in Autumn. The bark ranges in color from light gray to cinnamon red. The fruit is a round ball about one inch in diameter.

Because cypress is very durable it is in demand for interior house finishing, shingles, and fencing. The Indians used the large trees to make dugout canoes.