Interesting facts about poplar roots
Poplars have roots that are classified between the groups of horizontal and heart roots. So their roots grow for the most part horizontally in all directions and remain rather close to the surface of the earth. There is no dominant, vertically downward leading main root cord as in taproots. Rather, coarse and fine roots of different thicknesses share the task of absorbing minerals and water.
also read
- The growth of poplars
- Grace and usefulness of the poplars
- How old do poplars get?
The fine roots of poplars are comparatively long and not very branched. They pull the minerals and water up into the tree. The coarse roots are used to hold the ground.
Poplars have many horizontally growing side roots or Minor roots that are formed inside the roots and grow vertically away from the main root. These side roots can become a real problem for gardeners. Because saplings tend to form from them, which the tree uses to vegetatively reproduce in addition to seed reproduction.
To note:
- Poplars are a mixture of horizontal and heart roots
- form many side roots that are ready to shoot for vegetative propagation
Sapling rage when felling
It gets particularly bad when a poplar is felled by more than 2/3 of its original height and its rootstock is left standing. The activity of the rhizome, which is anything but dead, then focuses downwards and feels all the more incited to produce as many offspring as it can. The result: A real sapling forest develops around the stump.
The problem: The sprouting activity of the horizontal roots is not stopped if you repeatedly cut the saplings. Regularly mowing the lawn is a relatively convenient and initially effective solution, but the stalks of the Mini poplars make themselves prickly when walking barefoot because of their firmer consistency compared to grass noticeable. And as I said: It's a Sisyphean work.
The only permanently effective means: excavation
In order to put an end to the constant re-sprouting of the mini poplars, it does not help: the root stump of the mother poplar must be dug up. Of course, this is a time-consuming job that can actually only be done with the help of a motorized device.
