Ask A Scientist© Botany Archive

name       Tobie
status     other
age        30s

Question - My neighbor planted a bald cypress tree about seven feet
from my home, will the knees cause any damage under the slab of my home?
Will cutting the knees that come up in my yard do any damage to the tree?
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The following page indicates the general belief that the "knees" help
provide air for the root system when the tree grows in water. With that as
background, no it shouldn't damage your home.

http://www.baylink.org/wpc/cypress.html

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.
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