50 TREES OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES 
leaves only 4 inch long. Four of the largest trees show 
fruit, and each of these has only about a half-dozen of 
the globular cones. Only a few of the trees—those in the 
wettest places—have the knobs on the ground near the 
base. 
No. 4. 
The Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a common 
tree, a native of the Gulf States, growing very abundantly 
‘in the wettest swamps of that region. The northern 
limit of the tree in its wild state is said to be central 
Delaware and southern Ilinois, but it can be successfully 
cultivated in the region around Boston. There are several 
named varieties, one with the leaves but slightly spread- 
ing from the spray, and the whole of the branches show- 
ing a decided weeping tendency, so that it is called the 
Weeping Cypress. The knobs from the roots, called Cy- 
press-knees, grow very abundantly around all the trees in 
the southern swamps. These grow to the height of from 
2 to 4 feet, and are very thick, sometimes as much as 5 
feet. They are hollow, and are occasionally used for bee- 
hives. 
It is said to be a broad, flat-topped tree, spreading its 
top over other trees. This seems very strange, as none of 
those in Trenton, N. J., show such a tendency, but are 
quite spire-shaped. The wood is light, soft, straight- 
grained, and is said to be excellent for shingles and for 
other purposes. It generally has a dark reddish or 
brownish hue. It is a large tree, growing to the height 
of 140 feet. The trunk is sometimes 12 feet through near 
the ground. The flowers of the tree are in small catkins, 
blooming before the leaves expand in the early spring; in 
February, in South Carolina. 
