Cypress is a photograph by Ann Johndro-Collins which was uploaded on December 1st, 2012.
Title
Cypress
Artist
Ann Johndro-Collins
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Let the Days of Ease Begin by Raj Arumugam
let the days of ease begin
days of love and longing;
let there be grace in the heart
and the spark of life in one's eyes
let us dance
in the elegant halls;
and let us walk leisurely in the shade
of willow and cherry-blossoms
let us seek
peace in the self
and offer this to who would want;
let us have minds as clear as water
that shows one's form
lets us make love then
below the cypress that lines the lakes;
and when we sleep, let us dream
of nations and multitudes in peace
let us go, you and I,
let us walk these days given us;
let us walk this earth
revel in this energy in us;
let us walk hand in hand
as we live in
truth, justice and peace
let the days of ease begin
days of love and longing;
let there be grace in the heart
and the spark of life in one's eyes
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Baldcypress is a long-lived, deciduous wetland species that grows along rivers, streams, and creeks as well as in swamps with slow moving water. It can live up to 600 years old. It is a legendary tree of the Deep South known for its "knees," moss-draped crown, and buttressed trunk. It occurs in the coastal plains along the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean and north up through the Mississippi River Valley.
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Because of the unique shape of the base of each trunk, artists have created clocks, furniture, and wall decor from the cross-sections of this tree. In the landscaping industry, baldcypress is planted for its ornamental beauty. Old-growth heartwood is especially desired in the timber industry for its durability and resistance to rot. However, lumber use has declined because it is a slow-growing tree, it is harvested from wetlands, and the population of mature trees is much smaller than in the past.
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Baldcypress is a very important tree in the swampland ecosystem. It is valuable for wildlife food and cover. Canadian geese migrating to the south feed on the seeds. Swamp rabbits and other birds, such as Florida cranes and ducks, also feed on baldcypress. White-tailed deer escape to the cover of baldcypress swamps during hunting season. Many animals find shelter in and around the base of large old-growth trees.
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Old-growth baldcypress has a flattened crown usually dangling with Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides). Some river edges still have stumps of giant cypress trees that were logged in the early 1900s. A few old giants live in parks across Florida. Baldcypress and pondcypress are in the Taxodiaceae family, which are not true cypresses. True cypresses are in the Cupressus family and are not native to the southeastern United States.
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Baldcypress can be easily confused with another variety of the same species, pondcypress (Taxodium distichum var. nutans). Close attention to detail can differentiate these two varieties. Pondcypress has smaller, scale-like leaves pressed on the twigs. A twig of pressed pondcypress leaves resembles a pine needle pointing up or out from the branchlet. Baldcypress leaves are linear and featherlike, and the twigs hang down looking more pendulous than pondcypress twigs and leaves. Also, pondcypress tends to occur in still-water wetlands rather than flowing-water wetlands of the baldcypress habitat.
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"Knees" are present in both pondcypress and baldcypress root systems when they are growing in water. Cypress "knees," or pneumatophores, are cone-shaped extensions of the root system protruding from the ground. Pneumatophores are thought to function as the trees' means of obtaining oxygen for the roots during flooded conditions. Baldcypress and pondcypress are "trees with knees."
Uploaded
December 1st, 2012
More from Ann Johndro-Collins
Comments (24)
BASANT SONI
Revisited this wonderful tree graced in ur Home Enjoyed again its Divine vibrations +v Ann
BASANT SONI
An artistic creativity with beauty of colors.. Ann...+v/f .
Ann Johndro-Collins replied:
This tree has graced our home for decades...I love this tree. Many thanks, Basant, for your kind words and vote and favor for Cypress!!
Ann Johndro-Collins
Thank you so very much Joan for featuring Cypress in Tropical and Coastal Photos 12/23/12...grateful!
Ann Johndro-Collins
Thank you First Star Art for featuring Cypress in Loving the Color Green 12/14/12...delighted!
Ann Johndro-Collins
Thank you so very much Nadine and Bob for featuring Cypress in USA Artist News 12/4/12...grateful for your support!
Ann Johndro-Collins
Thank you so very much Sharon for featuring Cypress in Women Artists 12/13/12...grateful!!