Cypress trees are strong trees that love to grow in wet, swampy places where most other trees could never survive! The bald cypress is one of the most famous types. These amazing trees can live for more than 600 years, making them some of the oldest trees in the swamp.
Cypress leaves are soft and look a bit like tiny feathers. The bald cypress has special bumpy roots called “knees” that stick up out of the water. The tallest cypress knee ever found was 14 feet high, which is taller than most grown-ups! In the fall, its feathery needles turn a beautiful reddish-brown color before dropping off, and that is actually how it got the name “bald!”
- Even though the bald cypress is related to pine trees, it is not evergreen.
- Scientists think the “knees” help hold the tree steady in the soft, muddy ground.
- Cypress trees provide a safe home for many birds, frogs, and other animals that live near the water!
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