Ancient Cypress in Atchafalaya Basin Identified

Despite the ecological damage to our coastal wetlands, our coastal Louisiana cypress forests have thus far escaped the encroaching oil from the BP spill.
Among the coastal forests which must be spared the destruction facing our fragile coastal marshes, are the vast stretches of cypress comprising the Atchafalaya Basin.
We have been aware of several areas of the basin that are likely to have old growth cypress, but this is the first tree we have been able to measure and core. It is in the Williams Canal area of the Swamp east of the village of Bayou Sorrell (See map below)



This is area is well known to Dean Wilson (seen below measuring the tree), who takes visitors into this area with his Last Wilderness Swamp Tour. Dean is also the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper and a vigilant steward of this fragile ecosystem.

Here is a summary of location, tree size, core sample, and rings counted, and estimated age:

Iberville Parish
Inventory Code: IP-1
GPS coordinates30.06.173N 91.19.916W
Circumference: 16’8” Radius:2’8”
Core Samples (a) 2.63” percent of radius: .08% rings counted: 85
(b) 3.25” percent of radius: .10% rings counted: 110
Extrapolated age 900-1100yrs LPCL plaque #12 "Alive in 1803"

Based on the two corings and rings counted we are conservatively estimating the age of the tree at 900 years. This estimate would take into account the likelihood that, as with many old cypress that are hollowed out, the rings counted on the sample core are likely to represennt the slower growth periods of the tree.

Several other trees in the vicinity are equally as large, likely at least as old, and await LPCL measuring, coring, and dating.

Des Allemands Cypress Likely 300+ Years Old

Good news!—the Dufrene’s cypress in Des Allemands (see previous entry) is a Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy tree. In fact, it’s likely that it was at least 100 years old at the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Here’s how we arrived at the tree’s estimated age of at least 300 years:
Circumference: 14’4”—measured above buttress, 9 ft. from base
Diameter: 4’8”
Radius: 2’4”
Core Sample length: 14.75 inches Rings counted: approx. 197.
Extrapolated total rings: 14.75” /197 = 28”/x x = 365 rings
This tree has been well known to the Dufrene family for several generations. Before construction of a levee behind the tree in the early 1900’s, this tree was part of the Grand Bayou swamp , likely growing in a habitat conducive to very slow steady growth, as reflected in the many closely spaced growth rings on the core sample (see photo below).

This grand old cypress is very much part of community life in Des Allemands—several weddings have taken place beneath its canopy.
Murray, Terri, Chelsey, and Bryleigh Dufrene (shown in picture with LPCL plaque #27) are now proud stewards of what is likely one of the oldest cypress in St. Charles Parish.

If you know of others in St. Charles Parish (or any where else in Louisiana) that may qualify as La. Purchase Cypress Legacy trees (alive in 1803), please let us know. Leave a message in the comment section or at LaPurchaseCypressLegacy@gmail.com.

How Old is this St. Charles Parish Cypress?

The Dufrene family of Des Allemands, LA invited the Cypress Legacy campaign to measure and core a beautiful old cypress on their property. It measured 14'4" in circumference.
We obtained a good core from the tree -- preparing the core sample for ring counting comes next. Our next blog entry will give a determination of the approximate age of the tree-- hopefully it's a Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy Tree: "alive in 1803". We'll also have some more information on the history of this fine old cypress.

900+ Year Old Cypress is Landmarked in Avoyelles Parish

The results are in for the Avoyelles Parish tree pictured and described in the previous blog. It --and its nearly as old companion-- are magnificent trees and easily qualify as Louisiana. Purchase Cypress Legacy Trees—“alive in 1803”. Congratulations to Brian McCann—owner/steward. The trees are located northeast of Marksville on bottomlands near the Red River-- tucked between cornfields just outside the Lake Ophelia National Wildlife. A unique feature of the tree pictured at right is its towering height and fully intact canopy--unlike most trees centuries old, it has not been struck by lightning and lost limbs Although the date on the plaque (see photo) is 2008, it was placed on the First tree (measurements below) on May 31, 2009.

First Tree (two corings)

Height—approx 105 ft.
Circumference--above buttress measured approx. 25’9” at 14 feet above base
Circumference measured approx. 40’2” at breast height

First tree coring is 1.5 inches—approx. 49 rings counted
Radius is 48 inches (based on the above buttress 25’9”circumference measurement)
Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as 1.5”/48”= 49/x
x = 1568 rings

Second coring is 2.5 inches—approx 65 rings counted

Radius is 48 inches

Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as: 2.5/48= 65/x
x = 1248 rings

Second tree (one coring)

Measured at 32 feet circumference at breast height
Second Tree coring is 1.5 inches—approx. 39 rings counted
Radius is 61 inches—
Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as: 1.5/61 = 39/x
x = 1586 rings

Due to the small core lengths and estimated tree ring count from the cores (very faint rings despite sanding of core), I am making a conservative estimate of the first tree’s age at 900-1000 years. This estimate also allows for likely faster growing years during which rings are spaced farther apart than those counted on the core samples.
This estimated age would be consistent with that of cypress I’ve estimated at a similar age which had a smaller circumference. The conservative estimate also uses the smaller radius measurement (above the buttress)
For the same reasons I would also estimate the second tree’s age at a minimum of 800-1000 years (possibly a bit younger than the first tree since the radius used in the calculation was not above the buttress as with the first tree)
Dendrochronologists have validated both my estimated tree ring counts for trees of similar age and the extrapolation method I am using, but please bear in mind that this is not a “scientific” determination. However, I do feel confident that these trees could easily be 800—1000 years old—likely the oldest known living cypress in Avoyelles Parish, and among the oldest in the state. It is reassuring to know that Brian McCann and his son John will be caring stewards of such magnificent cypress.
I’m proud to add these trees to the inventory of La Purchase Cypress Legacy trees!

Another Cypress Treasure Identified

At the Baton Rouge Earth Day Festival last month, the Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy display attracted a lot of interest, with several folks eager to tell me of large cypress they know of --some on their own property. The pictures sent by one individual of the cypress on his parents property in Avoyelles Parish were truly astounding—an apparently fully intact giant (not sheared off at the top as most are) that he measured at 12 ½ feet diameter (39.6 feet circumference) at 4 1/2 feet above ground level. If the measurements hold up when I get out to landmark it --and by looks of the pictures they will--, this could very well be the largest cypress tree in Louisiana I’ve come across. Even though it is likely hollow, I hope to get a good enough core to be able to estimate its age. Stay tuned to this Blog for confirmation of circumference, height, and age estimates of this amazing tree!

Other leads of old growth cypress locations I obtained from visitors at the Green festival included sites in St. Tammany, Tangiapahoa, and Point Coupee Parishes.
Let me know of any trees you know of that may be two hundred six years or older (alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803) and I’d be happy to landmark them (see plaque [at right].

It’s been gratifying to visit all the proud stewards of “LPCL trees” since this campaign started in 2003 (the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase), and to commemorate and landmark these centuries old treasures to be found in all corners and backwater sloughs throughout the state.

Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy blog begins

This is the inaugural post of the Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy project.

Our purpose is to inventory, landmark, and promote the stewardship of cypress trees in Louisiana that are over 200 years old. Trees that were alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Find our Website here:
http://www.lapurchasecypresslegacy.net/index.html