1 8 X'ttive Trees of Kentucky 



C. P>.\u> (1\ 'I'kKss GEXUS TAXODIUM. 



One specks native- in Kentucky: 



Bald Cypress Tu.rodiuin distichum. 



The Liald or Deciduous Cypress is of very ancient lineage, at 

 one time covering the hills and valleys of the North Temperate 

 regions, and extending into Iceland and Greenland. Later, it 

 could not hold its own with the advance of the pines and hard- 

 woods and was forced by competition into the low places. It is 

 now a typical swam]) tree. 



In Kentucky, small groves are reported on the lower Green 

 River region and the bottom-lands of the Tennessee Valley, where 

 the trees reach a diameter from three to seven feet. Their large, 

 often hollow trunks, anchored by strong buttresses, stand in water 

 a part of every year. Upright projections called "knees," a char- 

 acteristic development of the root system, rise above the water 

 from three to five feet. 



Cypress is a typical coniferous wood, easily worked, of even, 

 smooth grain, and beautiful figures. The varying colors of the 

 wood indicate the locality in which the tree grew. 



Cypress lumber does not stain nor decay in the piles, and im- 

 parts neither odor nor taste to liquids. It is what the scientists 

 call "chemically inert." This characteristic recommends the wood 

 for manufacture of all kinds of tanks, churns, bee-hives and incu- 

 bators. Great durability and resistance to decay make Cypress 

 of high value for the woodwork of green-houses, for foundation 

 timbers, porch columns, rails and girders. It is also popular for 

 interior finish and is being introduced as a substitute for White 

 Pine in government ships. 



So close is the method of manufacturing the wood that even 

 the diseased logs known in trade as "pecky cypress" are used for 

 crates, laths, shingles, covering for steam pipes and veneer core. 



In parks Cypress is a highly ornamental tree. 



Tree tall, pyramidal, with tinted, flaring trunk. 



Bark thin, scaly, reddish brown. 



Leaves small, 2 ranked, annual. 



Fruit cones, small, generally in pairs, annual. 



