Cat Island Swamp is a seasonally flooded forested wetland bordering the Mississippi River on one of the few remaining unleveed portions of the river. Cypress and tupelo gum were studied using dendrochronological techniques. Patterns of growth for the two species were investigated in relation to climate. A linear aggregate climate model was fitted to chronologies of each species. Comparisons were made between the two species to help explain how climate influences tree growth in the area.

Key words: cypress Taxodium distichum, dendrochronology, swamp, tupelo gum Nyssa aquatica