Natural regeneration of baldcypress ( Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) in a Louisiana swamp

Abstract

Due to large reserves of second-growth cypress ( Taxodium distichum and T. distichum var. nutans) in the southeastern United States, logging of cypress is once again becoming attractive. This increased activity has led to the question of whether adequate natural regeneration will be established after logging. Four logged cypress stands in the Barataria Basin region of Louisiana were sampled to determine vegetation characteristics and survival and growth of baldcypress seedlings and stump sprouts. Coppice regeneration was prolific during the first year after cutting, however, most of the sprouts died in the following years. In addition, even though observations were made during a particularly dry year, no seedling establishment occurred.