Cypress Knees in Congaree National Park

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Cypress Knees in Congaree National Park

Cypress Knees in Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park, SC has one of the tallest, temperate, deciduous forests in the world, and some of the tallest trees are the Cypress. These magnificent specimens have "knees" around their bases. It is undetermined what purpose the knees serve, but they may help provide air during flooding, which occurs routinely, or they may provide additional anchoring over the root system. Or maybe both. Wise Lake is seen in the background. Imaged in July 2011.

Mark Doiron
on Jul 20, 2011 12:42 pm
Lat/Lon: 33.81531°N / 80.82762°W
Image Type(s): Scenery
Image ID: 730531

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dwhike

dwhike - Jan 31, 2012 11:09 am - Voted 10/10

Wacky Knees...

Just visited this park last month. Wonderful place to visit though, according to the rangers, it's been quite dry the past couple years so the woodlands are also atypically dry. Some properly HUGE trees as well...a great place for a relaxing stroll!

Mark Doiron

Mark Doiron - Jan 31, 2012 12:07 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Wacky Knees...

We really enjoyed our hike there, too. But, I think the "proper way" (used in the British sense) to visit would be to paddle it! --mark d.

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