I know the Big one on Sluice Creek. I also know a few in Cumberland County and a couple in Wharton.All Planted of course
Cape May County Explorations
- Thread starter bobpbx
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I have been told the one on Sluice Creek is native. I guess it is up for debate.
The Cypress in Wharton was report to have been planted by one of the Richards. Can't remember where I read that though.
The knees.
The knees.
Now I never heard that.I assumed it was planted or you'd think there would be more of them.It is in a wild location but how would it get there with no cypress within many miles? I don't know if the nuts are eaten by birds? I doubt those nuts could survive a salt water journey up from Delmarva.
There are half a dozen cypress in Greenwich Cumberland County.One is in a private yard visible from rd and several other quite large cypress are on the historical Society property next to the old swedish cabin
FWIW.... Found this on Wikipedia.
Habitat and distribution
"The native range extends from southeastern New Jersey south to Florida and west to Central Texas and southeastern Oklahoma, and also inland up the Mississippi River. Ancient bald cypress forests, with some trees more than 1,700 years old, once dominated swamps in the Southeast. The original range had been thought to only reach as far north as Delaware, but researchers have now found a natural forest on the Cape May Peninsula in southern New Jersey. The species can also be found growing outside its natural native range, in New York and Pennsylvania."
Habitat and distribution
"The native range extends from southeastern New Jersey south to Florida and west to Central Texas and southeastern Oklahoma, and also inland up the Mississippi River. Ancient bald cypress forests, with some trees more than 1,700 years old, once dominated swamps in the Southeast. The original range had been thought to only reach as far north as Delaware, but researchers have now found a natural forest on the Cape May Peninsula in southern New Jersey. The species can also be found growing outside its natural native range, in New York and Pennsylvania."
Most likely someone like Bob or a private citizen who told where it was and doesn't get any credit.
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It was determined that the Bald Cypress at Sluice Creek was planted It is noted in a sub-article titled: "Bald Cypress in NJ; Native or Not" You need to scoll down a good ways for the article in the attactment.
When I did the Lakehurst survey, I found about a dozen growing along a linear-shaped pond. Most were about 7 feet or so, but one was larger. I showed David, he thinks they were likely planted for some reason. I agree, because they were kind of lined up close to the shore.
I have never heard that.I had always read southern Delaware was their northern limit.I"d like to know where this native forest is in cape may County.This is the first I"ve heard of it.
By the way, I contacted Dave Snyder (author) about his find of 50 or so Bald Cypress in Wharton. This is from the article in the Annual Report:
"On 14 November 2018, while taking a short cut through Wharton State Forest, I whizzed through an Atlantic white cedar swamp and caught a flash of what struck me as the autumn orange-yellow color of bald cypress foliage. I had driven past this stretch of cedar swamp countless times before but never in this late season. Bald cypress? Probably not. I’ve run through similar scenarios many times before— you think you’ve found something good but upon inspection you find out that you were mistaken. Nonetheless, I turned around and headed back to where I saw the flash of color, parked the car, and entered the swamp. I was amazed by what I found. Everywhere I searched there were bald cypress trees. In places they were co-dominant with the cedars. In a quick and far from thorough search, I counted 70 trees along a distance of 0.15 miles."
I asked him about that. He said:
"After researching J. Wharton last winter I'm thinking the bald cypress might have originated with him. He was planting stuff all over his lands and the cypress was a valuable lumber tree. Apparently the state forest office has his ledgers and if someone wants to spent a few weeks reading them, there might be a mention in there if it was something his forester introduced. Bottom line is cypress in NJ may be native or not."
"On 14 November 2018, while taking a short cut through Wharton State Forest, I whizzed through an Atlantic white cedar swamp and caught a flash of what struck me as the autumn orange-yellow color of bald cypress foliage. I had driven past this stretch of cedar swamp countless times before but never in this late season. Bald cypress? Probably not. I’ve run through similar scenarios many times before— you think you’ve found something good but upon inspection you find out that you were mistaken. Nonetheless, I turned around and headed back to where I saw the flash of color, parked the car, and entered the swamp. I was amazed by what I found. Everywhere I searched there were bald cypress trees. In places they were co-dominant with the cedars. In a quick and far from thorough search, I counted 70 trees along a distance of 0.15 miles."
I asked him about that. He said:
"After researching J. Wharton last winter I'm thinking the bald cypress might have originated with him. He was planting stuff all over his lands and the cypress was a valuable lumber tree. Apparently the state forest office has his ledgers and if someone wants to spent a few weeks reading them, there might be a mention in there if it was something his forester introduced. Bottom line is cypress in NJ may be native or not."
I have Budd Wilson's dad's complete review of the items in the Wharton Ledgers. Budd's dad and wife took the ledgers to their home near Batsto and spent quite a bit of time cataloging what was in it. I have to look for them in my large plastic container with all my stuff.
Here they are. The ledgers start at 9 and I have a synopsis of all of them. At least what Budd's dad felt was important.
Wow, Dave wasn't kidding about taking some time to go through them. Too bad they don't digitize them.
#36 in the ledger
Hog Island is on the Mullica, Down Hay Rd near Clarks Landing. Was this part of the Wharton Estate?
Hog Island is on the Mullica, Down Hay Rd near Clarks Landing. Was this part of the Wharton Estate?