The blog today is not about Cypress trees, but let’s wade there first as a step into swamp tree shapes.   Back in 1987 Georgia biologist Howard Neufeld wrote a fascinating article about Bald Cypress and Pond Cypress.  His observation was that  Pond Cypresses tend to be taller (for any given trunk diameter),  to have fewer branches, and to have leaves along the branches (as opposed to toward the branch ends), and broader based.   By contrast, Bald Cypress is stockier, more branched with the leaves more concentrated toward the branch tips, and not broadened so much basally. 

As Neufeld saw it, the thinner, more-conic Pond Cypress was less costly to build (fewer smaller everything ),  less prone to sun stress,  and more drought tolerant (by having simpler and overall less  plumbing).   The more-conical shape allows nice even filtered light deeper into the tree, and allows the lower branches good illumination.   Neufeld interpreted pond cypress to have evolved frombig domineering muscular bald cypress as a lighter nimble cousin in changing drier habitats, as opposed to competing massive single-species stands in plenty of water.

Thus inspired, as a semi-swamp dweller, today I was messing around in a swamp near the southern limit of the beautiful Loblolly Bay sharing its cottonmouths with large Dahoon Hollies.   Both species rise up above the dense swamp canopy, and when the Hollies and Bays get above the lower canopy  their shapes contrast, reminiscent of the Cypress situation.   Dahoon Holly is the “Bald Cypress” copycat, comparatively hunky, highly branched, and  irregular in shape.   

To the point!, Loblolly.

Loblolly Bay rises like Space-X, pointed and conic.    It seems to punch aggressively through the understory with one thought: “get above shade”  undistracted.  So purposeful!   And when it achieves that purpose, its base can broaden and expose those big glossy leaves to photosynthesis.    The Holly does ok too in its own more cautious fashion:   it tilts this way, then tries another, investing in multiple trunks and branches at all angles,  experimenting,  and exploring obstacles,  competitors,  sunspots, openings, and shadows.   

Sort of resembles human affairs.  Rush brashly  to the goal, and you might win with luck in  an ideal place and time.   On the other hand, if you bob and weave you might win in diverse suboptimal places and times.  Wonder if the tree shapes have anything to do with Loblolly Bays living confined to a few particular habitats,  Dahoon Holly wangling into more diverse circumstances, even though their overall geographic ranges are the same.

Fun fact:   Loblolly Bay is in the tea family and Dahoon Holly is an historical source of yaupon teas. 

Different Styles of Swamp-Dwelling:   Straight to the Point or Hedge Your Bets

The blog today is not about Cypress trees, but let’s wade there first as a step into swamp tree shapes.   Back in 1987 Georgia biologist Howard Neufeld wrote a fascinating article about Bald Cypress and Pond Cypress.  His observation was that  Pond Cypresses tend to be taller (for any given trunk diameter),  to have fewer branches, and to have leaves along the branches (as opposed to toward the branch ends), and broader based.   By contrast, Bald Cypress is stockier, more branched with the leaves more concentrated toward the branch tips, and not broadened so much basally. 

As Neufeld saw it, the thinner, more-conic Pond Cypress was less costly to build (fewer smaller everything ),  less prone to sun stress,  and more drought tolerant (by having simpler and overall less  plumbing).   The more-conical shape allows nice even filtered light deeper into the tree, and allows the lower branches good illumination.   Neufeld interpreted pond cypress to have evolved frombig domineering muscular bald cypress as a lighter nimble cousin in changing drier habitats, as opposed to competing massive single-species stands in plenty of water.

Thus inspired, as a semi-swamp dweller, today I was messing around in a swamp near the southern limit of the beautiful Loblolly Bay sharing its cottonmouths with large Dahoon Hollies.   Both species rise up above the dense swamp canopy, and when the Hollies and Bays get above the lower canopy  their shapes contrast, reminiscent of the Cypress situation.   Dahoon Holly is the “Bald Cypress” copycat, comparatively hunky, highly branched, and  irregular in shape.    Loblolly Bay rises like Space-X, pointed and conic.    It seems to punch aggressively through the understory with one thought: “get above shade”  undistracted.  So purposeful!   And when it achieves that purpose, its base can broaden and expose those big glossy leaves to photosynthesis.    The Holly does ok too in its own more cautious fashion:   it tilts this way, then tries another, investing in multiple trunks and branches at all angles,  experimenting,  and exploring obstacles,  competitors,  sunspots, openings, and shadows.   

Dahoon, exploring its options

Sort of resembles human affairs.  Rush brashly  to the goal, and you might win with luck in  an ideal place and time.   On the other hand, if you bob and weave you might win in diverse suboptimal places and times.  Wonder if the tree shapes have anything to do with Loblolly Bays living confined to a few particular habitats,  Dahoon Holly wangling into more diverse circumstances, even though their overall geographic ranges are the same.

Fun fact:   Loblolly Bay is in the tea family and Dahoon Holly is an historical source of yaupon teas.