Instant Inspiration: Photos from The Life & Love of Trees

Southeastern United States

Species: Taxodium distichum
Photographer: Cece Fabbro
The bald cypress, or swamp cypress, is a species that is distinctive for growing beside and even within the shallow waters at the edge of lakes and in other flooded areas. To do this it has developed particular features to cope with the apparent suffocation of its roots underwater. Around permanently swamped trees it is possible to see "knees", small stumps from the roots, sticking up above the water. These help stabilize the tree and may also help it breathe. The appellation "bald" is given because it sheds its leaves.

From The Life & Love of Trees by Lewis Blackwell. Image © Cece Fabbro