Bald Cypress Tree Day

Bald Cypress Tree Day, observed on December 17, honors one of North America’s most iconic wetland trees. Known for its striking “knees” rising from swamp waters and its dramatic seasonal transformation, the bald cypress symbolizes adaptability, resilience, and the beauty of aquatic ecosystems.

This day celebrates a tree that thrives in challenging environments, reminding us of the importance of wetlands for both nature and human communities.

 

The Origins of Bald Cypress Tree Day

Bald Cypress Tree Day was created by Patti Jewel and the HolidaySmart Visionary Team to unite tree lovers worldwide as part of the Trees on Earth Holidays that celebrate one of earths most precious and impressive resources. 

Why December 17?

December is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, a season when the bald cypress shows off its dramatic, bare-branched silhouette and copper-colored needles. Bald Cypress Tree Day highlights the enduring beauty and ecological importance of these swamp giants during the quieter months.

 

All About the Bald Cypress

The bald cypress is scientifically known as Taxodium distichum. Where It Grows Southeastern United States Coastal plains, swamps, rivers, and bayous Particularly abundant in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas Size & Characteristics

• Height: 50–100 feet tall, some specimens over 120 feet
• Trunk: Buttressed and massive, adapted for wet soil
• Leaves: Needle-like, deciduous — turn rusty orange in fall
• Knees: Unique protrusions from the root system that help stabilize the tree
• Lifespan: Several hundred years Bald cypress trees are famously found in swamp ecosystems, creating iconic reflections over still waters.

 

What Makes the Bald Cypress Epic?

🌿 It Thrives in Waterlogged Soils
Few trees can survive prolonged flooding like the bald cypress.

🌿 It Creates Iconic Landscapes
Swamps dotted with towering cypresses evoke mystery, beauty, and tranquility.

🌿 It Lives for Centuries
Some individuals have stood for over 1,000 years, witnessing generations of wildlife and people.

🌿 It Supports Wetland Biodiversity
Home to birds, reptiles, amphibians, and countless aquatic species.

🌿 It Shows Seasonal Splendor
Needles turn brilliant copper in winter, even after leaves fall from surrounding trees.

Bald Cypress are not the normal Cypress Trees

Don't let the name fool you, Bald Cypress trees are not part of the Genus Cupressus, which are most commonly the Christmas shaped trees we think of when we hear "Cypress Tree". The Bald Cypress is in the family of Cupressaceae, but is part of the Genus Taxodium.

Bald cypress, also known as swamp cypress, or southern cypress, is a large-sized coniferous tree found in the Gulf Coastal Plains and the Southeastern United States. It has a pyramid-shaped crown when young, turning columnar at maturity and is typically between 50 and 70 feet tall. 

Cypress Knees

Bald Cypress thrive in wet, swampy conditions, but can also grow in dry soil. Trees growing in swampy conditions are known for their pneumatophores, commonly called “cypress knees,” which are special types of aerial roots used for transporting oxygen to the underground root system. These knees are also thought to support the tree in the swampy soils and help the trees to remain upright. This rich taproot system helps them withstand flooding and extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes or droughts.

This is why they are some of the oldest trees on earth. Because of their strong endurance and resilience to nature's changing conditions. 

 

Earth's Oldest Trees

The Bald Cypress Tree is one of the oldest tree species with some documented trees dating over 2000-3000 years! 

The Senator

 

Located in Big Tree Park in Sanford, Florida, this tree was estimated to be over 3,500 years old. This tree showed the endurance of the Bald Cypress as a hurricane took about 40 feet off of the towering 165 feet in 1925. The tree stood strong until is was burnt down in 2012. The stump remains as well as many sister trees including the Lady Liberty. This archived article features the boasting of the tree when it was a major attraction prior to it's demise. 

Learn more in this Seminole County Video: The Senator - A Tree Remembered

Big Dan

A newer discovery of champion trees, the Big Dan is one of the oldest living specimens and is growing in the Hornsby Spring Swamp Run near High Springs, Florida at Camp Kulaqua. In 2020, it was estimated to be 2,704 years old and is 35 feet in circumference. Check out this facebook video of this immense tree. 

 

Black River Forest in North Carolina

Bald Cypress trees have been found that date over 2,000-years in the forested wetlands along Black River. A recent specimen is documented to be at least 2,624 years old. (Environmental research abstract outlining the discovery of along the Black River, North Carolina)

 

The Cypress Tree Underwater Forest

The Cypress Tree Underwater Forest is 10 miles off the coast of Alabama offering a glimpse of this incredible tree and the history of the land. 

This underwater forest is lined with Bald Cypress trees believed to be more than 60,000 years old. The roots still planted in the underwater soil and when a piece of the stump was cut off, it still smelled like fresh cypress, even though they have been emerged underwater for 1000's of years. It is believed that these stumps were buried deep beneath the sand and were only exposed to the salty waters recently from storms churning the water in the region. For more details, visit this article by AL.com or watch this cool video! 

 

 

Fun Facts about the Bald Cypress Tree

• The bald cypress is Louisiana’s official state tree
• It thrives in wetlands but also survives dry locations and drought
• One of the oldest tree species on earth
• Not of the same genus of most Cypress Trees, Cupressus
• A very slow-growing tree
• Knees around the tree support resilience to both drought and soft soils

 

How to Celebrate Bald Cypress Tree Day

Draw a picture of a Bald Cypress tree

Bald Cypress trees are one of the most iconic tree in the world and is super fun to draw! See if you can create a Bald Cypress tree and share your drawings. 

Plant a Bald Cypress Tree

Bald Cypress Trees are a good tree to plant in zones 4-9 (southeastern regions of the U.S.). When planting, it is best to find a location where the soil is sandy and moist. Be sure to allow for lots of space around the tree for the roots and knees to grow. 

Find Bald Cypress trees in your community

Are there cypress trees around your neighborhood or community? Today is a great day to get out and see how many of these beautiful trees you can find. Make it a challenge with your friends to find the oldest tree with the largest circumference.

Visit a park that features Bald Cypress trees

Bald Cypress trees are common along the southeastern U.S. If you live in the area, get out to a lake, swamp area or park and take a walk among the beautiful trees. Have a picnic, meditate, write, draw and just enjoy being among these epic trees. If you do not live close to the bald cypress trees, plan a nature trip to enjoy some of earths oldest trees. 

Share images of Bald Cypress Trees on your social media

Share images of the Bald Cypress trees around your community or parks. 

Have a Bald Cypress Tree contest to see who can take the coolest image

Get your followers involved and have a contest to see who has taken the best Bald Cypress tree picture. Take your kids to the park and take pictures of every Bald Cypress tree and see who got the best shot. 

 

How Bald Cypress Tree Day Unites People

Bald Cypress Trees are a symbol of resilience through hardships. They are able to withstand strong storms and hurricanes as well as droughts. And they grow in groups. Celebrate this day celebrating the strong community of people you have around you and for standing strong and resilient through hardships. 

Though native to a specific region, its story resonates worldwide illustrating the importance of protecting wetlands and appreciating trees that thrive in challenging environments.

On December 17, we celebrate the enduring elegance, ecological significance, and shared wonder of one of nature’s most iconic swamp guardians.