Like any plant, conifers need roots to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Depending on the tree species and its preferred habitat, conifers can develop different root systems. Some species are shallow-rooted, while others develop deep roots. This knowledge is important not only when planting, but also in the event that the tree and its roots have to be removed from the ground again.
What roots do conifers have?
Coniferous trees can have different root systems, such as shallow roots, which spread just below the surface, and deep roots, whose roots extend many meters into the depths. Spruce trees are shallow-rooted, while pines and firs are deep-rooted. The root depth depends on soil conditions and location.
Root types and depths
Basically, every plant species belongs to a specific root type. However, it is impossible to predict how deep the roots of a particular tree will actually reach, as their growth depends on several factors. The root depth depends, among other things, on which soil layers contain water and nutrients. For this reason, trees often have very deep roots in nutrient-poor and/or dry soils. Furthermore, soil compaction has a major influence on root depth - the firmer the soil, the shallower the tree roots grow, even with extremely deep roots. This in turn is the reason why the soil should first be thoroughly loosened and, if necessary, improved before planting a tree.
Shallow-rooted
Shallow-rooted plants are plants whose roots spread out like a fan just below the surface. These roots do not reach depth, or only a little, but the widely branched system can grow several meters wide. Typical shallow-rooted plants include thuja, false cypress, cypress, Douglas fir, hemlock and sickle fir as well as the native spruce.
Deep and heart roots
The roots of a deep-rooted plant can reach many meters deep, depending on the species and location. Many tree species develop a strong taproot, which makes later transplanting difficult. These include the pine and the fir. Deep-rooted conifer species without taproots, on the other hand, include yews, junipers and cedars. Incidentally, heartroots are trees that develop a very deep, yet compact root system. This includes the larch.
Removing a conifer tree and its roots – this is how it works
In contrast to many types of deciduous trees, removing a conifer and its roots is not a complicated matter, as the root system does not have to be removed in its entirety - conifers generally do not sprout from the rootstock; instead, the roots left behind gradually rot. The best way to proceed is as follows:
- Saw the tree, but leave a piece of trunk standing.
- Now pierce the roots all around with a sharp spade (€29.00 on Amazon).
- Now dig a trench in the same place, spade leaf deep.
- Loose the roots with a digging fork.
- Pry out the rest of the trunk including the roots.
Tip
Before you replant the vacated area, you need to replace the soil: the site has often become acidic over the years and is therefore unusable for many garden plants.
