Anti-Cypress Mulch Campaign

Louisiana’s Wetland Habitat Take An Easy Step To Save Louisiana’s Wetland Habitat

PROTECT CYPRESS TREES Cypress Trees are a vital component of wetland habitat. Cypress Swamps were logged in 1920’s, slow growing trees are just starting to come back. Cypress trees are part of our Louisiana legacy.

WHAT IS THE LONG TERM EFFECT OF USING CYPRESS MULCH Using Cypress Mulch in your garden encourages the killing of young cypress trees. Industry used to consist of lumber byproducts now whole trees, some as small as three inches in diameter are ground up.

WHY PRESERVE WETLAND HABITATS Wetlands work as a filter to remove pollutants and toxic chemicals from surface water Wetlands act as barriers for storm surge Wetlands are home to a variety of plants, animals, fish and birds.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WETLANDS Eco tourism Sports fishing and hunting Commercial fishing Clean water Natural beauty

MYTHS ABOUT CYPRESS MULCH

MYTH # 1 CYPRESS MULCH IS A FORESTRY BYPRODUCT

FACT: CYPRESS MULCH COMES FROM YOUNG TREES Cypress Mulch used to be a byproduct of the logging industry. However that industry effectively clear cut most of the available cypress trees in Louisiana years ago. Today’s Cypress Mulch is made by grinding up cypress trees from Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Missouri swamps. The Pasco County extension office in Florida reports that “ in 1995, 42 million cubic feet were cut for lumber and mulch from Florida's wetlands. 129,000 tons of Cypress Mulch and 145,000 tons of cypress lumber are produced per year in Florida. In N.E. Florida, 20.4 million cu. ft. of cypress are cut per year, but the trees' natural replacement growth is only 17.1 million cu. ft.” (Pasco County Master Gardner Spring 2003)

MYTH #2 CYPRESS MULCH IS INSECT RESISTANT

FACT: CYPRESS MULCH IS NOT INSECT RESISTANT All of the research that we have done indicates that there is no scientific evidence that today’s cypress mulch is resistant to termites and other insects. (FOR 79, one of a series of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published, August 2000)

CYPRESS MULCH IS MORE DURABLE MYTH # 3 CYPRESS MULCH IS MORE DURABLE

FACT: PINE BARK IS MORE DURABLE Test show that today’s new cypress growth is not as durable as pine bark. In the first half of the 20th century when 800- to 900- year-old virgin cypress were harvested, large bald cypress trees with abundant heartwood produced decay-resistant products for outdoor use. Today, even though cypress wood still has the reputation for durability, the smaller second-growth cypress trees have very little decay-resistant heartwood” (Circular 1186- University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service)

CYPRESS IS MORE WEED RESISTANT Myth #4 CYPRESS IS MORE WEED RESISTANT

FACT: PINE STRAW IS MORE WEED RESISTANT Pine Straw can suppress weeds for up to one year but Cypress Mulch and others work for only two or three months.

WHAT CAN I DO? Change garden mulch buying habits Spread the word on the long term effect of using Cypress Mulch Offer practical mulch alternatives

MULCH YOUR GARDEN Mulch prevents soils from escaping during downpours Mulch stabilizes soil temperature Mulch retards weed growth Mulch adds nutrients to your garden as it breaks down Mulch makes your garden look good

What kind of Mulch should I use to help save our wetlands?

Leaves and Pine Straw Advantages Use your own compost for Free Buy local Pine Straw and support state economy Decomposes slowly Many more advantages see Pub 2387 Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service

Pine Bark Lumber Industry By-Product Heavier doesn’t wash away More resistant to insects

Eucalyptus Mulch Sustainable product grown in plantations for market aromatic

Don’t let Our Cypress Trees become another Louisiana Ghost Legend SAVE A TREE TODAY

DO NOT BUY CYPRESS MULCH ENCOURAGE YOUR LOCAL RETAILER TO STOCK ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS

Use of Cypress Mulch has been banned on public property in St. Tammany Parish Livingston Parish Hammond Covington Mandeville

PLEASE JOIN US TO SAVE AMERICA’S WETLAND

Organizations and Businesses supporting our campaign YOUR NAME HERE