Cypress Swamp

Natchez Trace, Canton MS

The cypress trees in this swamp make for a beautiful scene reflecting like a mirror.
These are Cypress tree knees, like the ones I saw at Congaree National Park in South Carolina. They are conical-shaped structures usually formed by the roots of cypress trees. They can grow several feet tall and have a rough texture. Scientists are still trying to find the exact purpose of cypress tree knees. Many believe that it acts as an anchor for the tree and provides better stability in water-logged soils because of its height.