Roots grow and spread over the surface of the ground, as if to say "I don't want to always be buried in the ground", consequently, these roots must be willing to be stepped on. The branches that were supposed to support the tree were buried in the ground.
These are the roots of the pine trees on the shore.
Photo by Irfan M Nur (@vannour)
Make: Canon EOS 6D, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens