strengthening our community tree canopy through education module #6: root systems of trees &...
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Strengthening our Community Tree Canopy Through Education
Module #6: Root Systems of Trees & Palms
Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty
Strengthening Our Community Tree Canopy
2012 Urban Forestry Series
This series is a part of a project titled “Strengthening Our Community Tree
Canopy Through Education”. This project is made possible by a grant
through the 2011 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
and the Florida Forest Service.
Root Systems – Trees & Palms
Root Zone of Root
Hairs
Zone of Elongation
Apical Meristem
Root Cap
International Society of Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org
Healthy root systems grow
away from trunk
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Broadleaf tree roots continue to increase
in diameter
Facts About Roots Most trees don’t
have tap roots Roots grow well
beyond dripline Damaging roots on
one side of a tree can cause damage to the canopy on that side
Root pruning stimulates growth near the cuts
Andrew Koeser, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org
Facts About Roots
Circling roots do not continue to circle once planted in the landscape
Most roots are in the top 3’ of soil with the majority in the very top
International Society of Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Palm Roots Palm tree roots do not increase in
diameterContinuous generation, mostly primary and
secondary roots that live ~ 3 years
ROOT
INITIATION
ZONE
Palm Roots
Photos: UF Laura Sanagorski
Palm Root Regeneration
Species
Root-stub length (inches)
Avg. no.
of new roots
Species<6 6-12 12-24 24-36
Cocos nucifera 47 61 50 50 20 Cocos nucifera
Phoenix reclinata 0 2 8 32 62 Phoenix
reclinata
Roystonea regia 1 6 24 36 97 Roystonea
regia
Sabal palmetto 1 1 3 1 196 Sabal palmetto
Syagrus romanzoffiana 3 41 49 57 13 Syagrus
romanzoffiana
Washingtonia robusta 2 14 31 59 144 Washingtonia
robustaTable 1. Average percentage of cut roots branching in four different root-length classes.- From Broschat and Donselman (1984; 1990).
Strengthening our Community Tree Canopy Through Education
Module #6: Root Systems of Trees & Palms
Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty