Bald
Cypress
 Bald
Cypress (Taxodium spp./Taxodiaceae) contains
two species, both native to North America: Baldcypress  or
Pondcypress (T. distichum) and Montezuma Baldcypress
(T. mucronatum). Both species look alike microscopically.
Baldcypress are found in swampy areas along
the Atlantic Coast from Delaware to southern Florida, west along
the Gulf Coast to southeastern Texas, and along the Mississippi
river valley to southeastern Illinois. While baldcypress grows
most commonly to about 100 ft (30.48 m) and 5 ft (1.52 m) in diameter,
trees can reach heights of 150 ft (45.72 m), with diameters of
12 ft (3.66 m). While a typical lifespan is about 500 years, baldcypress
can live for up to 2,000 years. In wet conditions, baldcypress
produces root extensions (“knees”) that grow above
the ground and the surface of the water to allow oxygen to reach
the roots.
Baldcypress sapwood is narrow and nearly white,
while the heartwood varies widely in color from light yellowish
brown to dark brownish red, brown, or chocolate. The wood is moderately
heavy, moderately strong, and moderately hard. Shrinkage is moderately
low, although somewhat greater than that of the cedars and less
than that of southern pine. Frequently the wood of certain baldcypress
trees contains pockets or localized areas that have been attacked
by a fungus. Such wood is known as “pecky” cypress.
Baldcypress has moderate strength, hardness, and pliability. The
heartwood of old-growth trees is one of the most decay-resistant
woods; second-growth trees produce only moderately decay-resistant
wood. Baldcypress has been used principally for building construction,
especially where resistance to decay is required. It is suited
for beams, posts, and other members in structures that require
substantial construction, such as docks, factories, and bridges.
It is well suited for siding and porch construction. It is also
used for caskets, sashes and doors, general millwork, ship and
boat building and railroad cross ties. Click
here to view a chart of Key:
Softwoods.
http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/SoftwoodNA/pdf_files/taxiodiummet.pdf
Characteristics found in the Bald Cypress
(Taxodium spp./Taxodiaceae):
Ray Tracheids Absent & Ray Parenchyma Smooth
-
Axial tracheids with biseriate to triseriate
pits
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Ray parenchyma with smooth end walls
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Cross-field pitting cupressoid to taxodioid
-
Axial parenchyma with nodular end walls
WOOD SLIDES
Click on each image to view a larger
image.
   
   
CHARCOAL SLIDES
   
  
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