1. Anti-Cypress Mulch Campaign

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. MYTHS ABOUT CYPRESS MULCH

8. MYTH # 1 CYPRESS MULCH IS A FORESTRY BYPRODUCT

9. 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)

10. MYTH #2 CYPRESS MULCH IS INSECT RESISTANT

11. 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)

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

13. 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)

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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

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

21. Eucalyptus Mulch Sustainable product grown in plantations for market
aromatic

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

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

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

26. PLEASE JOIN US TO SAVE AMERICA’S WETLAND

27. Organizations and Businesses supporting our campaign
YOUR NAME HERE