Swollen bases, swollen buttresses, and basal swelling are all terms that describe the enlarged lower trunks that are seen on trees subjected to periodic flooding. This swelling can range from a barely noticeable swelling to some very dramatic flared tree bases. One of the most recognizable trees with this feature is the Bald Cypress. It is very common through out southern swamps such as the Everglades in Florida and the Okefenokee in Georgia. The exact mechanism that triggers a trees growth of enlarged trunks has not yet been determined but some researchers theorize that the flood waters block the flow of nutrients and/or growth hormones. Many species of trees respond to periodic flooding with this growth response and it is one of the more recognizable features of flood tolerant species of trees.

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