Weakley County, Tennessee has a lot to offer. If you have an interest in the outdoors you can visit Big Cypress National Area and see the majestic cypress trees.
A bald cypress tree 175 feet tall, 40 feet around, and 13 feet in diameter was once the biggest and tallest bald cypress tree in America and the tallest tree of any species east of the Mississippi River. The U.S. Forest Service estimated the tree was 1,350 years old when lightening killed it. The champion cypress tree stood in the floodplain of the Middle Fork of the Obion River.
It could be seen towering over every other tree in the bottomland forest. The huge tree was struck and killed by a powerful lightning bolt in July, 1976. A two-mile trail that once led to Big Cypress is now closed, but the memory of the once-majestic tree is kept alive at Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area. This 330-acre natural area in Weakley County consists of bottomland hardwood forests including species like bald cypress and tupelo (especially sourgum or blackgum), beaver, and fox squirrel. It is a popular picnic and recreation area.
Big Cypress Tree is a day-use area where The Big Cypress Tree Fall Festival is held the third week-end in September. This festival is a fundraiser for the Friends of Big Cypress Tree who help plan and run the festival. Admission to the Festival and all programs is free. Arts and crafts, nature programs, live bands and singing, civil war encampment and reenactments, and delicious food are featured at the festival.
Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area is located in Northwest Tennessee in Weakley County seven miles from Greenfield. Follow the signs beginning at the junction of Highway 45E and Hwy. 445, just north of Greenfield.
