Oldest Known Cypress in East Baton Rouge Parish Identified
Although heavily urbanized, patches of East Baton Rouge Parish contain remnants of Louisiana's natural heritage. This includes Bayou Fountain, included in the Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail --the likely nursing ground for the grand old cypress recently landmarked by the Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy. According to the Bayou Fountain Historical Marker,
"B
ayou Fountain was once connected to the Mississippi River when springtime flooding flowed over the natural levees just below downtown Baton Rouge, entering the swamps to the east of the river." Likely dating back to late 18th century, this Baton Rouge cypress thrived in its early years , probably from the nutrients in the ebb and flow from this ancient Mississippi River distributary. Although the cypress is now located in the rear yard of a residence on Highland Rd in Baton Rouge, its long ago connection to Fountain Bayou likely helped germinate the fine old specimen seen in the photos below.
