Up to their 'knees' in mud...
In the Florida Everglades the swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) shares an environment with alligators and pelicans. Our pair of fine specimens don’t have giant reptiles for company, but growing on the south-side of the bank of Queen Mary’s Garden’s lake, inside the Inner Circle at Regent’s Park, they certainly enjoy some of the dampest conditions in the park.
The swamp cypress was once native to Britain - remains of ancient specimens have been found near Bournemouth - but it was reintroduced in 1640 by a famous plant hunter called John Tradescant the Younger. It soon became very popular as an ornamental tree, particularly as it loves to live near lakes, streams and rivers. Many specimens, including our pair, grow lumpy ‘knees’ or pneumatophores. These knobbly roots help the stability of this tall tree and are also thought to act like snorkels to help the tree breathe in waterlogged soil.
The swamp cypress is one of only a few conifers growing in Britain that is deciduous, meaning it sheds its foliage in winter. The needles turn a stunning fiery red in colour just before they fall in autumn. The cones change colour too, from green to purple. The tree is monoecious, which means it has male and female flowers on the same tree.
As you might expect, the timber from the swamp cypress is very resistant to water, and won’t readily shrink. This means it’s great for making barrels and window frames!
