Growth and development of bald-cypress/water-tupelo stands under continuous versus seasonal flooding

Abstract

The influence of flooding on mixed stands of bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) and water tupelo ( Nyssa aquatica L.) was studied in two second-growth stands, one continuously flooded (CF) with flowing water and the other seasonally flooded (SF). Both stands had about 50 m 2 ha −1 of basal area, of which 84% was bald cypress and 16% water tupelo. In the SF stand, large bald cypress grew fast, and water tupelo had high mortality rates. Bald-cypress growth was slower in the CF stand than the SF stand, but water-tupelo growth rate was slightly faster. As a result, water tupelo was more competitive against bald cypress in the CF stand, and did not lose basal area as it did in the SF stand. Basal-area changes indicate the composition of the SF stand will approach pure bald cypress, while the bald-cypress/water-tupelo mixture will be maintained in the CF stand.