Tate's Hell and the Dwarf Cypress Forest

Tate's Hell State Forest... even the name makes you wonder about such a place.  Well, these day's it is a Florida State Forest but with a name like Tate's Hell there has to be more.

A sea of dwarf cypress!
But only a small section of this forest

Legend is that Cebe Tate entered the swamp at Sumatra one day in search of a panther that was killing his cattle. He becomes disoriented, snake bitten, and wanders for days in the mosquito infested land. Eventually he emerges near Carrabelle, 25 miles east of Sumatra and when asked about his journey states "My name is old Tate, boys, I've just been through hell!"  Then he died. 

For me the Hell came in the form of
the Yellow Fly and Mosquito.
Neither let up the attack... they hitch-hiked home
with us... about 40 strong in the car!

Tate's story was immortalized in the song  "Ballad of Tate's Hell" by Will McLean.

Dwarf Cypress Forest
at Tate's Hell State Forest

A trip to view the forest was required considering we are Florida folk musicians, Florida park service volunteers, fans of Will McLean, and just naturally curious.  While spending time at St. George Island we found time to visit the Dwarf Cypress Forest in Tate's Hell.  

There is a clear cut area between
the two sides of the bowl.  A fire break?

This stand of dwarf cypress contains trees over 150 years old most are only 15 feet in height.  If you know anything about cypress you know they like wet feet so the area will be swampy and often buggy.  These cypress appear to live in a bowl surrounded by taller pines which tolerate damp feet but prefer sandy soil.  Logic says the cypress are in a bowl.

As you can see, the cypress
are in a bowl surrounded by pines

The cypress and 'bowl' is best experienced from the Ralph G. Kendrick Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk that takes you above the tree tops.  This means the boardwalk elevation is about 15 feet.  It was built to honor Ralph Kendrick a long time resident of Franklin County and forester.  I for one am thankful someone thought to honor 

All I can say is it is amazing.
Check the water levels, take plenty of bug spray
and go!