People rowing among colourful bald cypress, Xuancheng, Anhui, China

Paddling a painted forest. Colourful bald cypress, Xuancheng, Anhui, China

People paddle through flooded woodlands in Xuancheng, Anhui, where fall transforms bald cypress forests into a striking display of amber, copper and rust-coloured foliage. Unlike most conifers, bald cypress sheds its soft needles each fall after they turn reddish-brown. Native to North America, these trees thrive in wetlands, swamps and floodplains, often developing distinctive root "knees" that rise above the water. Some specimens have lived for more than 1,000 years. In late fall, the still water reflects the colourful canopy above, creating a remarkable landscape that highlights the bald cypress's natural connection to wetland environments.

The bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, was introduced to China in the early 20th century, valued for its rapid growth and flood tolerance. Its adaptability to wetland conditions made it a favored species for large-scale ecological restoration and landscaping projects. These resilient trees now form distinctive autumn landscapes, providing vital ecological benefits like water purification and habitat creation. Their successful establishment in environments far removed from their native range illustrates the global migration of botanical species.