Why do cypress trees have knees?

Scientists propose two theories. The first is that, because they grow in very wet places, often standing water, cypress trees send up knees to help the tree absorb oxygen from the air. That’s what mangrove trees do. But research has shown that cypress knees are actually pretty ineffective at absorbing air. So maybe not!

The second theory is that cypress knees, which can appear up to 10 or 12 feet away from the main trunk, greatly broaden the structural base of the tree and strengthen it. How else could this magnificent tree stand so tall and so straight and resist hurricane winds even though rooted in water-logged soil?

So I like theory two. But I also have my own…