The marshes that remain are mostly unsuitable for agriculture or are protected under wetland regulations. These wetlands usually occur where slow-moving or still water is present most of the year. Cypress trees grow out of standing water. The soils are flooded from four to eight months a year. The soil drains slowly.
Fire helps keep other trees from establishing themselves here.
After a fire, the cypress trees quickly grow back. Cypress swamps are protected under conservation laws. Hardwood Swamps You'll often find these wetlands near lakes and rivers. Sometimes hardwood swamps overlap with cypress swamps. These are forested wetlands that feature mostly deciduous hardwood trees.