Cypress knees amidst
Panoramic beauty
Moon’s shadow dancing
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The cypress tree, a major staple to plant life in the bayous, marshes and wetlands is a hauntingly beautiful and unique tree. Its root system is unique as well. Rather than having several roots, the cypress tree has one root, which is as wide as the tree. Its tap root is as deep as the height of the tree. If the cypress tree is 30 feet tall, the tap root is 30 feet deep. Cypress trees are known for being weather resistant – withstanding hurricane force winds.
Cypress knees are a distinctive structure in a root of a cypress tree. It is thought the cypress knees help in providing oxygen to the tree and its roots; as well as assist in anchoring the tree in the soft, muddy soil. Another function is the cypress knees offer structural support and stabilization. The older the tree, the more cypress knees visible above the water line. 
In South Louisiana – the knees are a favorite among wood carvers. However, it is no longer legal to harvest cypress knees from a living tree; cutting the cypress knees will kill the tree.
I have several charming pieces whittled from the cypress knees. These pieces are a cherished part of my South Louisiana heritage.
© rgb for “On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea”, 2011
Prompt: Shadow
"On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea" 
I do so love your photos of trees and the cypress is one we do not have here. Now I know something of it and even though I have carved some pieces during my life it is such a shame that the ‘knees’ would be taken to carve from given it would kill the tree. I cherish trees and have only ever carved in pieces from trees that were taken from the forest floor or those pieces left from trees cut and then replaced. We do that here in WA now so that there will be trees in the future. Thank You!
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Renée, thank you! Cypress trees are among my favorites! 😀 I didn’t realize you lived in WA! I hope to visit the state sometime, as I have seen beautiful photographs of it. I have a niece in the Navy stationed there!
Wishing you joyous Christmas and abundance of blessings in the New Year! ♡
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Wishing you all the best of everything and and I know it will be different this year but also know your mother is always with you as you carry her in your heart. Have a wonderful New Year!
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Your words and image mate perfectly– nicely done!
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Thank you very much!!
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delicious. love the form. I want to start playing with haikus.
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Emily Jane – when you start playing with Haiku – warning, it could be addicting! 🙂 For me, it is a discipline in brevity!
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Interesting! Love the haiku and the photo made me think of Luna 🙂
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Glad you stopped by for a visit. Thank you!
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Oh, I just plain love this! I rang in Y2K amidst the cypress knees and this takes me right back in an economic shot of words. Love love love.
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Thank you, Danielle. I am glad you found me and enjoyed! Where were you amidst the cypress knees?
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what a lovely haiku, becca! thanks for educating me about cypress trees and their knees. i’m happy to know that they are now protected.
http://pinklady-bing.blogspot.com/2011/04/getting-high-on-sobriety.html
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ahh, Bing, thank you for visiting. 🙂
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lovely and enjoyed the factual stuff too …thank you
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Glad you like it … and happy you visited … please stop by again!
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…If the cypress tree is 30 feet tall, the tap root is 30 feet deep…
…wow…that’s cool…always appreciate poetry accompanied by useful information…nicely done.
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Happy you enjoyed a piece of my “home” … I appreciate you visiting and commenting. 🙂
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I admire your haikus so very much, Becca! they have that certain feel to it not everyone can get it 🙂
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Quite a compliment, Vinay. I am honored by your visit and generous comment! Thank you~~
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Lovely and learnful. Thanks!
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Thank you for visiting, Michael!!
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the picture just adds beauty to the poem. the poem is remarkable.
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I appreciate you stopping for a visit, Paulami. Thank you for your comments and support.
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anytime for you. your poetry is amazing !
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beautiful…..
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Thanks, Jingle!
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Dramatic picture! Love the haiku. I had no idea and have never heard of Cypress knees before – thanks for the lesson! I do wood carving and would love to get my hands on some, but it sounds hard to get. Will have to look for some when I’m down south next.
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Jenn, cypress makes lovely and very durable pieces … no two pieces are alike but they are universally beautiful … 🙂
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i love woodcrafts, and like you i love the living trees more.
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I especially love the chakra haiku. Glorious! :O)
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Thank you, Madeleine for the visit and the encouraging comment! Please stop by again!
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Your lovely haiku grew even more beautiful (and your stunning photo) after I read the history you shared. Thank you. This was a charming, well-balanced post providing something for everyone!
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Thank you so much for giving me a beautiful insight as to the nature in your neck of the woods. I have never been but have heard it is quite striking.
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In my opinion, it is … whenever I go home … it is the first change in landscape than assures my spirit … I “am home” … you see, no matter, where I live, South Louisiana is always considered “home”! Thank you for visiting. 🙂
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When I was in high school wood shop, I made a lamp out of a cypress knee. Don’t recall how I got the knee, but my sister still has the lamp fifty years later. It was such a beautiful thing, I did a little research on them at the time. No two are alike, but they are universally beautiful. I’m glad they outlawed cutting them from living trees. I hadn’t heard that before.
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You are correct, Mike … no two alike but universally beautiful! I can only imagine the lamp has improved with age!
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Some beautiful words for these wonderful creations of nature…thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for indulging me and reading! Appreciate your visit!
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Thank you Becca, for the educational trip through the Louisiana Bayou!
I know it is a place of haunting beauty, where danger lurks with powerful and hungry jaws.
The thirsty Cypress is an amazing image of adaptation. The Cypress carries within its woody fabric, a small legend of harsh conditions survived. The story begins to unfold at first sight of those Cypress Knees!
The information you have presented entices me to come and explore.
Thank You For Sharing!
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Awwww, Gary … what a lovely post. Yes, the cypress tree is unique contribution to our wetlands. The photos cannot do them justice … one must visually experience them. I love them from sunrise to moonrise; cloudy or sunny, it matters not. They have a powerful spiritual energy and vibration about them … 🙂 I do not think you would be disappointed if you visited!
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This is quite beautiful, Becca. Thank you for your words and the lessons of the Cypress.
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The cypress is a near and dear tree to me … I love everything about them – from the landscape contributions to the various ways the wood is used. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 🙂
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