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Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) - August 2005
Marshalls Park holds this example of Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). Curiously though, although it has a typical, well-formed profile from one direction, viewed from the side it appears to be rather lacking in branches. Perhaps there were once other trees nearby.

* * * Update - November 2011 * * *

On a return visit to re-measure this tree, a closer inspection revealed that it is in fact a Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum). My excuse (if I need one) for the mistaken identity is that this was one of the first "Dawn Redwoods" to be found by Redwood World before we had become a little more astute at spotting the differences. Those differences do need a close-up look and the things to look for are that Swamp Cypress have leaves that are not alternately opposed, a trunk much less fluted and knarled, and a more overall feathery type appearance that probably accounted for the comment about the lack of branches in 2005.

Common Names and Latin Name Latitude and Longitude OS National Grid Elevation
(above sea-level)
Height Girth Date Measured
WGS84 OSGB36
Swamp Cypress
Taxodium distichum
N51.87151
E0.54383
N51.87102
W0.54550
TL 75221 22272 51ft
(15.55m)
18m
16.5m
--
1.49m
November 2011
August 2005
Girth was measured at 1.5m from ground.

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