Bald cypress often share the swampy landscape with other water-tolerant trees such as black gum, sweet gum, red maple, and a variety of oaks and hickories. In the understory, look for persimmon, sweet pepper bush, swamp azalea and southern arrowwood. Lichens and mosses may add a soft coat to trunks and logs. Open water supports both floating and submerged plants These forested swamps provide homes for wading birds, like herons and egrets, and waterfowl, like mallards and wood ducks. Cavity nesters, like woodpeckers and owls, are right at home here.
Temporary pools are excellent breeding grounds for frogs, toads and salamanders.
Snakes and turtles take advantage of both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Even fish find both food and refuge among the bald cypress' twisted, submerged roots. Muskrat, raccoons and otter are a few of the mammals that live in these forested wetlands. There are still some areas in the Chesapeake Bay watershed where you can find bald cypress swamps.