Trees in the News: The Death of a Baldcypress

How unfortunate that after posting about Baldcypresses, news comes that the oldest one around did not make it.

To start with, here is the story:

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1116206--3-500-year-old-cypress-tree-in-florida-catches-fire-and-collapses

I suspect that this is an act of arson.  For one, Baldcypress grow in swamps, usually standing water or very moist soil, and even under the dry spell that central Florida is currently having, the tree would be incredibly moist.  A tree like this does not spontaneously ignite.  How could a fire start in a place like this, naturally?  Lightning.  There were no thunderstorms in the area that day.  Furthermore, the thing is pretty resilient to that sort of damage even then, and if it was truly that old, then it would take more than a strike or two to down her.  Sequoias and other large trees, for instance, usually have some splitting and bark burns from lightning strikes, but normally do not die.

No, to light this thing up you would need to go about it artificially and under controlled circumstances, or at least be young, dumb, and pathetic with a false idea that you have nothing better to do.

Yes, the tree was old, and yes, it was pretty hollow inside.  The thing is, it was still alive, and tree or not, it was a well-loved landmark for locals.  I was hoping to see it for myself one day...