But the trees growing today are considerably smaller in comparison with the virgin cypress and tupelo trees that existed before timber barons stripped the swamp. A stipulation of the sale held that three of the larger trees were to be saved by saws. But lightning struck one of the giants and one was cut down, despite the stipulation. Shelton is not sure what happened to the third tree. State forestry records speculate one of the giants may have been more than 1,200 years old - the oldest cypress tree known.
Plans call for footpaths and walkways in and around the swamp.
In addition, a center is to be built where visitors can learn of the swamp habitat and its inhabitants. Primitive camping will be allowed, but only on the swamp's fringe, said Harvey. The work should be finished in mid-1981. He stressed that caution will be used when considering the extent of development. Any development must not have a deleterious impact on the brake's ecosystem, he said.