The Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is an ancient and unique tree that is usually associated with the southern states due to its abundance in swampy regions. “Remains of prehistoric forests show that millions of years ago [the bald cypress] grew abundantly within the Arctic Circle; due to climate changes it was pushed southwards. The bald cypress found its way to eastern and southern coastal lands” (Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, 2002). On May 26, 196, the bald cypress was officially proclaimed the state tree of Louisiana. The bald cypress is a large, slow-growing but long-lived deciduous conifer. It often reaches 100 to 120 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet in diameter (U.S. Department of Agriculture). Bald cypress is a huge tree that can live for hundreds and even thousands of years. “Individual trees up to 1,200 years old have been reported in Georgia and South Carolina” (Coladonato, 1992). Bald cypress is well known for its garnished moss. In the forest, bald cypress typically has a large, irregular canopy, often draped with curtains and rivulets of gray Spanish moss (Coladonato, 1992). Bald cypress leaves are 1/3 to ¾ inch long and are usually spread flat on feather-like twigs; these twigs fall in the fall (Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry). The bark of the bald cypress is reddish-brown. It is usually quite thin and fibrous with a braided pattern of narrow flat ridges and narrow grooves (Coladonato, 1992). Bald cypress has a large root system. It develops a tap root and horizontal roots that lie just below the surface and extend 20 to 50 feet before bending downward (C......middle of paper......ground water” ( Coladonato).Many people enjoy using cypress trees to their advantage by planting them for shade, landscaping and along bodies of water. They are known for their Spanish moss that provides shade in water-tolerant areas successful throughout its range as ornamental and along roadsides. Works Cited Wilhite, LL P. and JR Toliver. "Taxodium Distichum and JR Toliver." distichum ]. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Science Laboratory (Manufacturer. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2014 , February 9].Strain, Mike, DVM. Louisiana State Tree: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, 2002. Print.