The maple is a popular ornamental plant in this country. Depending on the species, it grows as a tree or large shrub with widely branched roots. But how deep does it really run? We clarify whether maple is shallow-rooted or deep-rooted.
In a nutshell
- most maple cultivars develop shallow root systems
- spreads out radially
- also so-called "heart roots".
- Transplanting maples not recommended
Table of Contents
- maple
- root systems
- Root systems of maples
- Maples by root systems: table
- frequently asked Questions
maple
Maples (Acer) are a genus of plants in the soap tree family, which includes around 200 species worldwide. To the native maples include Norway, Sycamore and Field Maples. The French maple (Acer monspessulanum) is a naturalized species that grows wild. There are also a large number of maple species and varieties that are offered as ornamental plants for gardens, parks or avenues.
root systems
Depending on the growth of the roots, a distinction is made between flat, deep and heart-rooted trees.
| shallow roots | deep rooter | heart root | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics | – radial/dish spread of the roots – just below the surface of the earth – Growing more in breadth than in depth |
– dominant main root (taproot) – goes several meters deep into the ground – weak lateral roots |
– Combination of deep and shallow roots – several deep growing roots with strongly branched, shallow growing roots just below the ground – Root system resembles heart in cross-section |
| examples | most maple species, apple tree, beech, Spruce, plum, sour cherry | Yew, Oak, pine, larch, linden tree, walnut | individual maple species (e.g. B. Norway maple), birch, Douglas fir, ginkgo, plane tree, tulip tree |
A notice: Since the development of the root systems often depends on the location and the quality of the soil, strict categorization is often difficult. That is why, for example, some maples are classified as both flat-rooted and heart-rooted.
Root systems of maples
Maples that are offered and planted in this country are flat or heart-rooted. Since it is the trees or If you don't particularly like large shrubs when they are transplanted, you should already keep an eye on the spread of the root system when choosing the location. Depending on age and soil, this is after
- 5 to 10 years (normal garden both) between 140 cm (vertical) and 210 cm (horizontal)
- 70 years (gravelly-sandy loam soil) between 110 to 140 centimeters (vertical) and 305 centimeters (horizontal)
- 60 years (permeable gravel soil) between 60 centimeters (vertical) and 255 centimeters (horizontal)
A notice: An exception is the sycamore maple, because Acer pseudoplantanus is a deep rooter.
Maples by root systems: table
| shallow roots | heart root | Shallow to cordate roots |
|---|---|---|
| David's maple (Acer davidii) Three-flowered maple (A. triflorum) Trident maple (A. citizenship) Trident maple (A. barbin nerve) Ash maple (A. negundo) Japanese maple (A. palmatum) fire maple (A. ginnala) Freeman's maple (A x freemanii) Henry's maple (A henryi) Japanese golden maple (A. shirasawanum) Korean Japanese Maple (A. pseudosieboldianum) Korean snakeskin maple (A. tegmentosum) Oregon maple (A. macrophyllum) Red snakeskin maple (A. capillipes) Red-veined snakeskin maple (A. call nerve) Silver Maple (A. saccharine) striped maple (A. pensylvanicum) Syrian maple (A. obtusifolium) Vine leaf maple (A. circumnata) Zöschen maple (A. x zoeschense) Sugar maple (A. saccharum) |
Cissus maple (Acer cissifolium) Field maple (A. campestre) French maple (A. monspessulanum) Greek maple (A. heldreichii) Hornbeam Maple (A. carpinifolium) Red-barked maple (A. x conspicuum) Snowball maple (A. opaque) Vermont maple (A. spicatum) |
Chinese Norway Maple (Acer truncatum) Japanese maple (A japonicum) Colchian maple (A. cappadocicum) Red maple (A. rubrum) Norway maple (A. platanoides) Cinnamon Maple (A. griseum) |
A notice: Nikko maple (Acer maximowiczianum) and Shantung maple (Acer mono) form a taproot as they age.
frequently asked Questions
To keep the expansive root growth of maples in check, you can create a root barrier with an impenetrable geotextile when planting. Line the planting hole vertically with at least 50 centimeters. In addition, it should protrude about 15 centimeters from the ground. So that the maple can develop well despite the root barrier, the planting hole should have a diameter of at least 100 centimeters.
In order to promote the deep growth of the maple roots, you should reduce the water supply. This is especially true for dry periods. During this time, water your maple thoroughly with the once or twice a week garden hose. To meet its water needs, it will direct the growth of its roots downwards.
Shallow roots like the maple can cause a lot of damage in the garden. The roots break up paved garden paths or penetrate underground pipes. If the tree is too close to the property line, the spread of the roots to the neighboring property can also lead to conflicts with the neighbor.