Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy

500+ Year Old Cypress Landmarked on Bayou Dorcheat, Webster Parish, Louisiana

Bayou Dorcheat 500+ year cypress landmarked

Bayou Dorcheat is one of the most scenic of  Louisiana’s  designated Scenic Streams, extending from Lake Bisteneau through Webster parish into  Arkansas.  Hundreds of old growth cypress line its banks,  enriching the  timeless sense of wilderness experienced while paddling along this remote stream. The Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy landmarked one of these cypress—LPCL Plaque # 38.Here’s what we found out about this representative example of the old growth cypress along Bayou Dorcheat:

GPS coordinates 32 54.837 North  093 23.211 West (on left bank of bayou paddling south)
Circumference (above buttress) 13 feet 4 inch circumference

Diameter: 50 inches  Radius: 25 inches

Core sample: 4.5 inches

Rings counted: Approximately 130

Projected age; 500+ years

Projected age of 500+ years takes into account likely faster growing period during early growth period. Like most of these ancient trees the inside is hollow, meaning that core samples reflect slower growing later years.

To view this tree, launch boat at the Hwy 2 access. Paddle south about twenty minutes. Tree is located on left side (east bank) about two minutes paddle before teaching the overhead power lines.. The plaque is not easily visible as you paddle south towards the power lines; however, it will be visible viewed on the right bank heading north about two minutes from the overhead power lines. It is quite a distinctive tree with a full canopy and swirling bark.

We'll be adding this tree to our State wide registry of oldest known trees in each Parish.

If you know of possibly a large/older cypress in Webster Parish please let us know!