The most famous tree in the Kórnik Arboretum is the swamp cypress with its characteristic roots (pneumatophores) growing above the ground surface. It was brought to Kórnik in 1845 and is the most famous swamp cypress in Poland.
It is a naturally occurring species in southeastern North America where it grows in swamps, river valleys and floodplains. Growing in swampy soil, it produces so-called pneumatophores, roots that grow out of the ground beneath its crown, serving to ventilate the root system, which is often submerged in water. The first cypress trees were brought to Kórnik by Tytus Działyński - the creator not only of the exuberant Kórnik library, but also of a collection of trees and shrubs
Tytus Dzialynski, who, according to his letters, was very fond of swamp cypress trees, first brought the species to Kórnik in 1845. He planted (perhaps personally) a number of cypress trees at that time, of which only two remain to this day, one of which has become the most famous tree in our arboretum and has developed pneumatophores - roots resembling “stumps” - that are visible from the damp meadow. Some believe that these roots bring good luck and the fulfillment of dreams, especially matrimonial ones....
Cypress trees are tall trees, growing up to 50 meters tall in their native country. In autumn, their needles turn orange and fall off.
