I’ve admired this handsome tree for 30 years. It thrives despite the surrounding pavement and the daily passing of thousands of polluting cars. Judging from its trunk circumference of 112 inches (2018), this tree could be 125-130 years old… the same age as the cypress trees gotten from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (see here).
This amazing species, while dominant in the harsh and unique conditions of the Florida Everglades, is actually hardy when planted elsewhere. Its dominance in southern swamps is due to a scarcity of competitors who can adapt to that inhospitable environment.
