Lake Dauterive Ancient Cypress Identified.

In Iberia Parish, along the shoreline of Lake Dauterive (north of Lake Fausse Point State Park), hundreds of old growth cypress have stood witness to the march of time – and it appears that these cypress were well into “old age” at the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Based on the ring count from the coring of one of these trees, the age is estimated at over 1000 years old

Here are the statistics for this venerable cypress:

GPS coordinates: N 30 06.059, W 91 39.084

Circumference: 17ft. Diameter: 5.4 ft. Radius: 2.7 ft.

Core: 3 inches Rings counted: Approximately 116 (Rings are extremely close together, indicating very slow growth)

Extrapolated age based on ring count: 1216 years

Estimated age: 1000+ years based on likely faster growth during early growth period (This faster growth is not apparent in corings of very old cypress, since the interior of the tree is usually hallow).

We are proud to include this tree, and its many venerable brethren along the shore of Lake Dauterive, among those "alive in 1803".