Cypress trees can live for hundreds or even thousands of years. They are the most flood-tolerant trees in Florida and are often found in swamps and along rivers. This was taken in Lettuce Lake Regional Park in Tampa. Cypress heartwood was highly valued in the 19th century for its workability, resistance to rot, insects and water damage, and its reddish color. In the early 20th century, logging companies harvested the largest and oldest cypress trees for their valuable wood. At the height of logging, 300 million board feet of cypress were harvested annually. Fortunately we still have some of these beautiful specimens to enjoy.