Can You Remove Bald Cypress Knees Without Killing the Tree?

Bald cypress knees—those knobby, woody protrusions around the base—are iconic but can be a nuisance in lawns. A 70-foot specimen prompts the question: can they be cut off safely?

The Function of Knees

While their exact role is debated, knees likely aid in gas exchange in waterlogged soils and provide structural stability. Removing them:

• Creates large wounds at the root flare—prime entry points for decay fungi and insects.
• Weakens the tree’s anchoring system, especially in wet or windy conditions.
• Stresses a tree that may live 100+ feet tall.

Better Alternatives

• Expand the mulch ring to encompass the knees (2–3 inches of shredded hardwood).
• Plant shade-tolerant groundcovers around them.
• Embrace them as unique landscape features.

If knees must be removed (e.g., for mowing), cut only a few per year, flush with the soil, and monitor for decline. But preservation is strongly advised.