A lone tree

A lone bald cypress on the North Landing River.

A lone tree. Surrounded by water, hanging on in the soft peat and mud. Isolated by erosion, yards from the bank on the North Landing River. Bald cypresses were one of the most sought after species of trees throughout the South and were heavily logged from colonial times through the 1900s. Bald cypress trees are found along the entire length of the North Landing River, on every tributary stream, and there are hard to reach swamps with cypress that are hundreds of years old - areas so difficult to access that they have never been logged. But this lone, lowercase cypress stands stubbornly against the odds, resisting the onslaught of three foot boat wakes from the yachts on the Intracoastal and the constant rising and falling of the river caused by wind tides.

I can’t count the number of people over the years that have expressed to me that I might be adding to the demise of the North Landing River and the natural heritage that surrounds this Virginia Scenic River by sharing images of the river. I see their point, but I disagree for many reasons. But, here are two. First, access to the river is limited. A boat or some type of vessel is required - only a very small fraction of the bank is accessible without one. Even with a vessel, most of the waters are shallow - then it gets shallower with a northerly wind, limiting access. Second, awareness can also help protect a place. As Clyde Butcher wrote, “It is (my) hope that by sharing the beauty of the region you will see the need to keep it in its natural biological condition for future generations to enjoy.” So, I suppose I am saying that by sharing these images, it might help protect the North Landing. Maybe not. Regardless, this might be one of my favorite pictures of the river.

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