Wetlands Restoration
Atlantic White Cedar Restoration: Great Cypress Swamp
Extensive and dense stands of Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) were once one of the dominating features of the Great Cypress Swamp. The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) stands, often taller and older than the white cedar, usually occurred in the wetter sites or in association with the Pocomoke flood plain. Both occurred in even age stands and were characterized with unique ecological communities. Currently, stands of both tree types are extremely rare, isolated and being out competed by an aggressive maple, sweetgum and pine community. Our past reforestation/restoration efforts have centered on bald cypress plantings in natural openings and abandoned agricultural fields. More recently, we have changed the nature of our efforts to controlling vegetative competition around existing native white cedar and bald cypress trees. This is an extremely physically difficult and labor intensive task involving frill cuts and chemical application on the competing vegetation. In the fall of 2007, we will conduct some limited experimentation with aerial application of suppressant chemicals to release white cedar trees. We are extremely hopeful that this will enhance natural reseeding and expansion of the native white cedar plant community.
In addition, we will attempt to re-establish white cedar on 35 acres in a site of high density young mixed hardwood/pine within our Layton tract of the Great Cypress Swamp. This project will consist of early fall aerial application of herbicide followed by complete vegetative mulching of sections within the spray area. White cedar seedlings will then be planted in the mulched area. Since deer depredation of white cedar seedlings is a major challenge, we will also experiment with a systemic deer repellent applied at time of seedling planting. We will evaluate the process and modify where necessary before expanding similar white cedar restorations throughout the swamp.