Interesting facts about the roots

Root types and depths

Basically every type of plant belongs to a certain root type. However, it is not possible to predict how deep the roots of a particular tree will actually reach, as their growth depends on several factors. The root depth depends, among other things, on the soil layers in which there are water and nutrients. For this reason, trees often have very deep roots in nutrient-poor and / or dry soils. Furthermore, soil compaction has a major influence on the root depth - the firmer the soil, the shallower it grows Tree roots, even with pronounced deep-rooters. This in turn is the reason why the soil should first be thoroughly loosened and, if necessary, improved before a tree is planted.

Shallow root

Shallow root are plants whose roots spread out like a fan just below the surface. These roots do not extend deeply or only a little, but the widely branched system can grow several meters in width. Typical shallow roots are, for example, thuja,

False cypress, Cypress, douglas fir, hemlock and sickle fir as well as the local spruce.

Deep and heart roots

The roots of a deep root can, depending on the species and location, reach down many meters. Many tree species develop a strong taproot, perhaps a later one Transplanting difficult. These include the pine and the fir. Deep-rooted Conifer species without taproot, on the other hand, there are yew, juniper and cedar trees. Incidentally, heart roots are trees that develop a rather deep, yet compact root system. This includes the larch.

Remove the conifer and its roots - that's how it works

In contrast to many deciduous tree species, removing a conifer and its roots is not a complicated matter because the root system is not a whole must be removed - as a rule, conifers do not sprout from the rhizome; instead, the roots that have been left to rot gradually. It is best to proceed as follows:

• Saws Down the tree, but leave a piece of the trunk.
• Now prick with a sharp one spade all around the roots.
• Now dig a trench in the same place, deep as a blade.
• Loosen the roots with a Digging fork.
• Use the same to pry out the remains of the trunk including the roots.