Taxodium ascendens

Native to the southeastern United States, this deciduous conifer reaches about 70 feet tall. It grows in wetland habitats and can develop a flared trunk base and woody root projections known as knees. Its foliage turns russet before falling. Its short needles lie close against upward-pointing branchlets. In the southeastern United States, it favors still-water habitats such as ponds, blackwater lakes and peaty swamps. It tolerates standing water and can be propagated from seed. Photographed in Virginia.