Q&A - Can I remove bald cypress knees?
Question:
Can a bald cypress tree knees be removed without harming the tree?
Answer:
The knees of bald cypress grow up from the ground. They are pneumatophores or roots that specialize in gaseous exchange. They have developed in the bald cypress because the tree is usually found in wet soils where the roots cannot get air. They can be cut off without harming the tree. If you do cut them it is best to do it in the winter when there are few insect pests or fungus around to take advantage of the wound before it heals.
Related Resources:
Bald-cypress
Cypress Knees: An Enduring Enigma
Can a bald cypress tree knees be removed without harming the tree?
Answer:
The knees of bald cypress grow up from the ground. They are pneumatophores or roots that specialize in gaseous exchange. They have developed in the bald cypress because the tree is usually found in wet soils where the roots cannot get air. They can be cut off without harming the tree. If you do cut them it is best to do it in the winter when there are few insect pests or fungus around to take advantage of the wound before it heals.
Related Resources:
Bald-cypress
Cypress Knees: An Enduring Enigma