Nature's Giant. National Champion Bald Cypress

This reserve is on Cat Island which is covered by the Mississippi River much of the year. In the heat of summer the river retreats enough to drive out there and hike through the mud (I mean the gummiest of mud) and take a look at one of Mother Nature's great treasures. In the deep shade of this canopy it is a challenging task to photograph, but well worth seeing. Hope you enjoy..

It is the largest bald cypress in the United States. The tree is 83 feet tall, 54 feet in circumference, and 17 feet in diameter. It is the sixth largest tree in the United States and the largest tree of any species east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is estimated to be about 1000 years old.

This was the road to the tree still 4 miles from the destination and nothing but Mississippi River ahead shot 5 weeks ago

Another old giant near by

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