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BALD CYPRESS (Taxodium distichum)

In summer the larch and cypress may easily be told from other trees by their leaves. These are needle-shaped and arranged in clusters with numerous leaves to each cluster in the case of the larch, and feathery and flat in the case of the cypress. In winter, when their leaves have dropped off, the trees can be told by their cones, which adhere to the branches.
Bald Cypress Leaves and Cones
The bald cypress is a southern tree of ancient origin, the well-known cypress of Montezuma in the gardens of Chepultepec having been a species of Taxodium. The tree is now confined to the swamps and river banks of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, where it often forms extensive forests to the exclusion of all other trees. In those regions along the river swamps, the trees are often submerged for several months of the year.
Egret in a Cypress Swamp
Distinguishing characters: The feathery character of the twigs, and the spire-like form of the tree, which is taller and more slender than the larch, will distinguish this species from others.
The Bald Cypress
Leaf: The leaves drop off in October, though the tree is of the cone-bearing kind. In this respect it is like the larch.
Bald Cypress Leaves and Cones
Form and size: Tall and pyramidal.
Bald Cypress Trees at Sunset
Range: The cypress is a southern tree, but is found under cultivation in parks and on lawns in northern United States.
Bald Cypress Natural Range
Soil and location: Grows naturally in swamps, but will also do well in ordinary well-drained, good soil. In its natural habitat it sends out special roots above water. These are known as "cypress knees" and serve to provide air to the submerged roots of the tree.
Bald Cypress Knees
Enemies: None of importance.

Value for planting: An excellent tree for park and lawn planting.

Commercial value: The wood is light, soft, and easily worked. It is used for general construction, interior finish, railroad ties, posts and cooperage.
Bald Cypress Cavity
Other characters: The bark is thin and scaly. The fruit is a cone about an inch in diameter. The general color of the tree is a dull, deep green which, however, turns orange brown in the fall.
Bald Cypress Bark

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read the lesson.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
  • Learn the concepts.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This lesson overviews the bald cypress tree, which has adaptations enabling it to grow in wet and swampy areas. They bald cypress has feather-like twigs and bears cones. Bald cypress trees grow "knees" above the water which has been hypothesized to provide air to the roots and/or structural support for the tree. The scientific (Latinized) name of the bald cypress is Taxodium distichum.

Vocabulary

Swamp: A piece of wet, spongy land that is home to many creatures who have adapted specifically to that environment.
Cypress Knees: A woody projection forming above the roots of certain cypress species, perhaps to aid in oxygenation to the roots or to anchor the tree in soft, muddy soil.
Spire: A sharp or tapering point.
Egret: Various wading birds including herons, many of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season.

Concepts

CYPRESS KNEES

  1. Cypress trees grow in swamps and along riverbanks.
  2. Oftentimes their root systems are under the water.
  3. Cypress trees in swamps often grow knees - rounded or spikey projections that protrude from the water.
  4. The function of cypress knees is a mystery. However, scientists have hypothesized they provide air to the roots or anchor the tree to the ground.
  5. However cypress trees continue to thrive even if their knees are removed and experimentation has not shown that knees intake any oxygen.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

  • After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Study the Lesson Pictures

  • Study the lesson pictures and describe how they relate to the lesson.

Activity 3: Take a Nature Walk

  • Bring a small sketchbook and a specimen collection bag and embark on a nature walk.
  • If you live in an area with cypress trees, search for the tree. If you have no access to cypress trees, choose another evergreen tree to study.
  • Study and sketch the appearance, habitat, and/or cones of the tree.
  • Collect specimens from the tree, including small branches, leaves, and cones.
  • Use the sketch and specimens to create the field book entry.

Activity 4: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 42 in 'Science Field Book for Fourth Grade.'

Review

Question 1

In what type of habitat do bald cypress trees grow?
1 / 4

Answer 1

Bald cypress trees grow in wet areas in swamps and along riverbanks.
1 / 4

Question 2

What are cypress knees?
2 / 4

Answer 2

Cypress knees are woody projections that protrude from the water.
2 / 4

Question 3

What are potential purposes of cypress knees?
3 / 4

Answer 3

It is unknown, but potential purposes are to intake air or to anchor the tree to the ground.
3 / 4

Question 4

Why don't scientists believe cypress trees are used to ingest oxygen?
4 / 4

Answer 4

Experimentation shows cypress knees don't intake oxygen.
4 / 4

  1. In what type of habitat do bald cypress trees grow? Bald cypress trees grow in wet areas in swamps and along riverbanks.
  2. What are cypress knees? Cypress knees are woody projections that protrude from the water.
  3. What are potential purposes of cypress knees? It is unknown, but potential purposes are to intake air or to anchor the tree to the ground.
  4. Why don't scientists believe cypress trees are used to ingest oxygen? Experimentation shows cypress knees don't intake oxygen.

References

  1. 'Studies of Trees' by Jacob Joshua Levison. gutenberg.org/ebooks/16116. n.p.
  2. 'Cypress Knee.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

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