Looks gnarly whatever it is...I have never seen one submerge theirs in a pot. Usually they put their pot into a tub of water. That base of the trunk is sweet.
Not a root, as you asked I answered, on a side note it looks to be growing ok considering the chop - to me it could be pretty damn nice in 2 more years... Honest it depends on personal perspective and goals not overall opinions that are based on others perspectives and goals - go for it! I can see your objective
@GrimLore no chop I found it like that. Beavers or just a hard life. I thought it was dead when I found it. @AZbonsai In my travels I have only seen mature cypress put out cypress knees. I never had one produce a knee in a pot or container. If this is a knee it will be first for me. @choppychoppy no not a lot of growth. It guess it had a hard life.
@AZbonsai only folks that grow or in my case attempt to grow cypress are really aware of the knee formation. It usually only happens to mature or old cypress.