Tree Roots

08 Feb 2024

Recent storms have brought down a lot of trees. Arboriculture Research Information Note 130/95 Tree Root Systems fixes some of the misconceptions I had about tree roots before I spent a summer removing tree roots left over from cutting down a 36”+ diameter tree. Some people thing the tree roots is a mirror of the tree above and the roots only spread as far as the canopy. That is incorrect. Roots are mainly within the first 60 cm underground since they need air to breath. Roots already spread radially farther than the tree is tall. If you have clay soil, putting a fruit tree in a raised bed will help if you have problems with drainage.