Bald Cypress - Swamp Collecting Video

Here's A Video I created to show how we collect bald cypress here in the New Orleans area. I offer to bring fellow club members out with me each year, and only get one every few years. So this is for those who don't know what they're missing.

That looks like fun, well, at least some of it is fun; certainly lots of work. Your various tools make the task easier to manage. The effort is made sweeter when you can see the tree in the tub. Thank you for showing us!
Todd

For me, the entire thing is the weirdest fun and very rewarding.

Very nice video! Would love to go ona hunt like that; Seems like a wonderfull place to run around in (But I am crazy, I know). Too bad there is an ocean between us

So.. Bold cyprus is from growing habit similar to mangroves? It just stands in the water. Cool. Would it survive frosty winters?

Mangroves are much more salt tolerant than bald cypress. As for winters, from what I read, bald cypress can tolerate temperatures as low as -25°C. Here in New Orleans, we only get as low as -3° or -4°C for just a few nights in the winter. This winter we didn't have a single night below freezing. I'm sure others can give you a better representation of their frost tolerance.

great video, thanks!

I love those trees Bill, and eventually I will get one as I found out I can import trees from the US to where I live no problem and no quarantine!

Just one tip to make it more interesting. if you could sort of arrange for a croc or two to swim by whilst collecting it would make it a little more exciting!

Mambo, a local store had a floating pond decoration in three pieces to represent the head, body, and tail of an alligator. I gave it some great thought, but at $60, I feared it was only good for $20 worth of laughs.

He he..... great instructional video anyway, even without the crocs!

If you invite me Bill, I'll drive over to NO in a heart beat.

Luc

Good video.
Thanks for posting...
Invites are hard to get in NO I'm told, Luc.
If you get one, I'll pay for the gas!

Bald Cypress is hardy well into the northern U.S. states, where it grow in Illinois and into Maryland and Delaware (zone 7 or thereabouts). I have had a Bald Cypress dug in La. here in Va. for over 15 years now. I don't provide any more winter protection for it than a heavy covering of mulch in a growing bed in my backyard. The tree has weathered a winter or two when temps have dropped a few degrees below 0 F.

I have found however, that Louisiana-collected bald Cypress are apparently more winter hardy than those collected in Florida. I had a Florida-collected tree one year. Provided the exact same winter protection as the Lousiana tree. The Florida tree died over the winter---and it was a pretty average winter too.

well in Bills video, he mentioned that the swamp is a well known area for the club, maybe we can pay the club fee and get in on the hunt.

Luc

GOOD luck!

Luc,

Depending on where you are in Texas, there are several other clubs closer to you that may give you access to digging in the swamps. Lake Charles and Shreveport both have good clubs.

I like pulling from water because the ground is very soft. The tree tends to develop a nice buttress in the water, as well. Roots are spreading very nicely as the tree enters the muck. Drier trees, tend to just shoot right into the soil without much of a buttress or attractive roots.

Very interesting to see the harvest of a bald cypress. New one for me. Do you have any previously taken trees to show what you expect in a year or several in terms of growth?
Thank you