A swamp is literally any wetland in which trees are the dominant vegetation. In the southeast, swamps are often inundated by floodwater from nearby rivers and streams. During part of the year the swamp may be covered by several feet of slow-moving or standing water.

During drier periods the swamp may be characterized by moist or saturated soil with only a small area of standing water in the center. Cypress and tupelo are common swamp trees in South Carolina.