SILVICAL DESCRIPTION OF CYPRESS. 4] 
moist loams of the bottoms. On lands physically ill adapted to tree 
growth it is often the only tree present. It forms the bulk of the stand 
over considerable areas of low-lying wet lands, such as are found along 
the southeast boundary of Hell Hole. 
When growing under favorable conditions it closely resembles lob- 
lolly pine, reaching about the same size and having similar form. On 
the waste lands it becomes a stunted tree, of small diameter and height. 
On the low flat lands it is a short-bodied, long-crowned tree, but attains 
diameters up to 20 inches. 
Like the other pines, it iS not a tolerant tree. In mixture its exist- 
ence depends on its being dominant, and when in pure stands it forms 
a one-height class. Reproduction is not plentiful, but saplings are 
fairly numerous. 
In good situations its growth resembles loblolly pine, but is slightly 
slower. On poorer soils it is slow; trees of 6 to 10 inches in diameter 
are from 50 to 60 years old. 
CYPRESS. 
Cypress occurs in the deep, wet swamps, pocosons, and bays, along 
streams, and on low flat lands where there is standing water at least 
part of the year. Occasionally specimens grow on the fresh uplands, 
but such are exceptional. It occurs for the most part as scattered 
individuals, or in small groups, occasionally nearly pure, over limited 
areas. 
Black gum, loblolly pine, red gum, ash, maple, and occasional pond 
pine are nearly always present with the cypress. Yellow poplar is 
sometimes also in the mixture. Saplings and cypress often grow under 
loblolly pine as a lower story. 
The best soil condition for cypress is a light sandy loam, with an 
abundance of standing water the year round. Hence the best cypress 
is in the deep swamps. A mucky soil, of which there is little on the 
tract, is said to cause shake, but otherwise it appears to be favorable 
to good development. 
Cypress is the largest tree on the tract. Trees up to 50 inches in 
diameter are not uncommon. ‘The largest tree found measured 75 
inches in diameter. ‘The cypress seldom exceeds 100 feet in height, 
but has a long, clear bole (50 to 60 feet long), and a short, irregular 
crown made up of rather large branches. On account of the ** peck” 
(a form of rot to which it is subject) the top of the tree is generally 
killed back. In the pocosons the tree is much smaller. 
Cypress is capable of standing considerable shade. The few seed- 
lings which come up grow under very dense shade, and saplings seem 
to endure shade fairly well, though many are killed off by it. 
Reproduction is very poor. Only occasional seedlings are seen, 
though saplings are numerous. These saplings are most plentiful in 
