GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BALD-CYPRESS WATER-TUPELO STANDS UNDER CONTINUOUS VERSUS SEASONAL FLOODING

The influence of flooding on mixed stands of bald cypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.) was studied in two second-growth stands, one continuously flooded (CF) with flowing water and the other seasonally flooded (SF). Both stands had about 50 m2 ha-1 of basal area, of which 84% was bald cypress and 16% water tupelo. In the SF stand, large bald cypress grew fast, and water tupelo had high mortality rates. Bald-cypress growth was slower in the CF stand than the SF stand, but water-tupelo growth rate was slightly faster. As a result, water tupelo was more competitive against bald cypress in the CF stand, and did not lose basal area as it did in the SF stand. Basal-area changes indicate the composition of the SF stand will approach pure bald cypress, while the bald-cypress/water-tupelo mixture will be maintained in the CF stand. © 1990.