D.C.'s Underground Bald Cypress Fossils
Four bald cypress trees in Lafayette Square, across from the White House, mark the southern edge of a 100,000 year old cypress swamp.

šŸ“œ Fossilized stumps of bald cypress trees, up to eight feet in diameter, are buried twenty feet under Washington D.C.'s busy streets.
šŸ” These trees are remnants of a 100,000-year-old cypress swamp, with living descendants visible today.

Why Go

šŸŒ³ See the four bald cypress trees in Lafayette Square, near the White House.
šŸ›ļø Learn about the geological history of D.C. and ancient climate change.
šŸ”¬ View fossilized tree stumps in the collections of the National Geographic Museum or Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Tips

šŸ“ The living bald cypress trees are in Lafayette Square, just north of the White House.
šŸ’” To see the fossilized versions, visit the Geology exhibits at the National Geographic Museum (1145 17th Street, NW) or the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on the National Mall.

Last updated 5 days ago

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