<p>Flaring bases of the <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Taxodium_distichum" title="Category:Taxodium distichum">Bald cypress (<i>Taxodium distichum</i>)</a> trees at the <b><a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Big_Thicket" title="Category:Big Thicket">Big Thicket National Preserve</a></b>, Texas. 
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<ul><li>The preserve is located just north of Houston and Beaumont, TX and has historically been home to dense woodlands in the state.</li>
<li>The Big Thicket was mostly uninhabited until heavy settlement from the U.S. began in the mid-19th century, and was even used as a refuge by runaway slaves and other fugitives.</li></ul><p><br></p>
USDA photo by Larry Rana; in late August 1996.
USDA photo by Larry Rana
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Flickr" class="mw-redirect" title="Flickr">Flickr</a>: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/41284017@N08/7880854042">20120106-OC-AMW-0698</a>