Is it Legal to Cut Florida Cypress Tree Knees?
Cypress trees are the most grown, highly flood-tolerant wetland trees in Florida. The trees grow extensively on river and lake banks, and swamps in the state. When growing near water bodies, the trees produce distinct, protruding stumps referred to as knees. Specific Florida laws address the legality of harming these knees.
Legal Issues
It is illegal to cut the knees on cypress trees growing on state land without a state permit, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The knees are widely used for making tables and lamps. Cypress knees are protected under the wetland preservation laws in Florida.
Purpose
Knees are more common on cypress trees that are growing in flooded areas, and possibly help the trees stay stabilized and anchored in muddy ground, according to the University of Florida Extension. Extensions of the tree's root system, knees help to absorb oxygen from the air. The rate of respiration in knees increases with the water level.
Description
The size of cypress knees range from a few inches to up to 12 feet depending on water depth. The bark on the knees is lighter colored than the tree and the wood texture is also softer.
Related Articles
References
- University of Florida Extensions: Cypress Tree
- Orlando Sentinel; Cypress Knees; July 21, 1992
- Southwest Florida Water Management District: Wetland Connection
- “Priceless Florida”; Eleanor Noss Whitney, D. Bruce Means, Anne Rudloe; 2004
- “Carving Cypress Knees”; Carole Jean Boyd, Jack A. Williams; 2005
Writer Bio
Irum Sarfaraz is a freelance writer with over 20 years of nonfiction writing experience in newspaper op-eds and magazine writing, book editing, translating and research writing. Sarfaraz is originally from Pakistan and has been published in both American and Pakistani newspapers and magazines. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, and diplomas in nonfiction writing.
