Save Our Cypress

The Guilfordian, April 18 2008

"Lowe's talks a big game about protecting the planet's forests, but they're not living up to the hype," said John Avery, president of the Earth Club at UNC-Charlotte in a press release. "They have the opportunity to be an environmental leader by simply making the switch to sustainable alternatives."

Simon Kelly
The Gilfordian

News-Press.com, April 12, 2008

"We need to educate people," said Mary Duryea, professor and extension specialist of the University of Florida's School of Forest Resources and Conservation. "Do we want to use cypress harvested from wetlands or help melaleuca from lands down there (in South Florida)?

"As far as quality, pine bark, melaleuca, eucalyptus all last just as long as cypress and do just as good a job."

Kevin Lollar
News-Press.com

The Daily Times - Salisbury, Md., April 15th 2008

..."Since the cypress tree has such a specific habitat and is slow to germinate, they were replaced with maple and gum trees," Fehr said. "And contrary to popular belief, cypress trees are not a sustainable product because they are so hard to grow."

Cypress trees are not protected in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida where they are clear cut for mulch. Fehr said this further destroys their sensitive habitat and prevents new trees from taking root.

"It also creates the potential for invasive species to come in and crowd out cypress trees," he said....

By Laura D'Alessandro - Staff Writer
The Daily News