Sometimes hardwood swamps overlap with cypress swamps. These are forested wetlands that feature mostly deciduous hardwood trees. Prolonged flooding of bordering rivers keep the forest floor submerged for part of the year. If this type of system is either drained or flooded for a long period of time, a new type of community will result. Therefore, this is a highly sensitive area.
Trees consist largely of water tupelo, Carolina ash, and blackgum.
You may also find red maple, sweetgum, and water hickory. Slightly more upland, you may find swamp chestnut oak. The tallest trees may often be pines. These communities occur on level or gently sloping land or in depressed areas. Seepage water from upland areas keeps the bay swamps almost constantly wet.