Getting to the ROOT of the problem: The Importance of Root Health

You might not always see them, but they are there and they are VERY important to a tree's survival. We are talking about the ROOTS!

Roots are arguably the most important component of the tree. They have 3 functions:

• Roots act as an anchor for the tree. Without the anchoring effect of roots, a tree would be far too top heavy and just fall over. 

• Roots absorb nutrients and water from the soil and transport it to the rest of the tree for survival. Special mechanisms are in place to allow roots to uptake the right amount of nutrients and water the tree needs. For more information on these mechanisms read our blog “Food for Thought: What a tree needs to survive and how they get it”. 

• Last but not least, roots create an intricate network below the surface of the ground that stabilizes the soil structure. This is especially important to shorelines or infrastructure. If the roots disappeared, the soil structure would become weak, leading to significant erosion. 

Now, not all roots are the same. Some roots have special adaptations to better perform one of the functions better than the others. Together they allow a tree to grow big and strong!

• Elongated Tap Roots 

  • These roots grow deep into the soil for absorption of nutrients and water when the topsoil is dry. These deep roots also anchor the tree by acting as a counter weight, holding the tree tall and strong. 

• Fibrous/Lateral Roots 

  • Fibrous Roots are found in the shallower soils, absorbing rainfall as it hits the ground surface, but also provides stability by spreading laterally to hold the soil network in place. 

• Feeder Roots 

  • Feeder roots are secondary roots that are highly abundant throughout the root system. These roots are small but numerous to increase surface area for optimized nutrient absorption.

Roots will not grow in any specific direction. There is no "brain" of the tree telling the roots where to go. As long as water and nutrients are available for roots to encounter, they will continue to grow, increasing stability and maximize absorption. This is great from the tree's perspective, since no conscious efforts are required to improve the root system. However, this is why underground infrastructures like septic beds and foundations are at risk of damage by roots. Roots will not avoid your septic tank if the septic tank is in its road. This is why significant planning must go into new building sites. A specific tree may be in a great spot for aesthetics in your future yard, but over time, that tree may cause serious damage you cannot see. 

In addition to damage by roots, damage to roots can be a serious issue if not addressed. Damage and disturbance to roots can occur at any compaction to the soil. Vehicle and foot traffic are the leading cause of tree death due to soil compaction killing the tree from the roots up. Compacted soil prevents free flowing water and nutrients, preventing the roots from functioning. Fun Fact- the % of root damage correlates to the amount of foliage loss. For instance, if a tree has quickly lost 40% of its foliage, it can be assumed that about 40% of the root system is damaged. 

Construction sites are a dangerous place to be a tree. With extensive traffic, digging, scraping, cultivating and heavy equipment coming and going, soil compaction is a big issue on all construction sites. It is recommended that any trees within the construction area be removed prior to the start of construction to avoid root damage. Potential trees in danger of soil compaction can be identified with a Tree Protection Plan. This plan will outline what trees will be directly affected by the construction, what trees can be preserved during construction as well as a potential replanting plan to bring life back into the affected area once construction has ended. It is also highly recommended that homeowners of new builds have assessments done within 5 years of the completion of construction. We see many trees that were supposedly “protected” during construction die within 5 years of work as a result of root damage. As a property settles after construction, the water tables change their flow based on the new grading or layout. Some trees will flourish in this changed environment, while others will struggle. Combining compacted soils and a change of water flow is a recipe for disaster for tree roots. 

The best practice for protecting your trees is to prevent ground disturbance of any kind above the root system. Trees have fascinating abilities to adapt and grow in their environment, with roots being the main contributor to their success. Roots are not only important to the tree, but necessary for strong soil structure and healthy environments. So remember… Happy roots = Happy trees!