Trees have a very different appearance: There are small trees, large trees, some with slender growth, some with a spherical or extremely sprawling crown. The characteristic appearances are largely determined by the root system of the tree. This in turn depends on the tree's natural living environment. Whether heart-rooted, shallow-rooted or deep-rooted: each system presents its own problems for garden trees. Read what you should pay attention to with deep-rooted trees.
Which trees are typical deep-rooted trees?
Deep-rooted trees are trees that have a main root that grows deep, often several meters deep. Typical deep-rooted trees are yew, oak, ash, pine, larch, linden, robinia and juniper. The advantages of this root structure are better water and nutrient supply, stability and protection against storm damage.
What are deep-rooted plants?
Deep-rooted trees form a main root that grows deep - up to ten meters or more, depending on the tree species. A number of lateral roots branch off from this primary root, but do not perform the same essential nutritional function as in cardiac or shallow-rooted plants. Compared to other root systems, deep-rooted plants have some advantages:
- Reaching waterholes deep in the earth
- Settlement of dry and cold locations possible
- Protection against wind break/storm damage thanks to anchoring
- Deep roots do not damage foundations, paths and other structures
Problems in the garden
But the strong advantage of a deep-rooted plant, its taproot, can also be a disadvantage, especially in the garden. Due to their stability, deep-rooted trees can often grow very tall; after all, the tree is firmly anchored in the ground. Some sequoia species with heights of more than 100 meters are a good example of this. Many forest trees are also deep-rooted and sometimes reach heights of between 30 and 40 meters. But it's not just the sheer size that can become a problem in the garden, but also the roots themselves. If the tree has to be moved, the roots, which are several meters deep, are difficult to dig out and require a lot of effort. Instead, it is often cut or otherwise damaged, so that the tree often dies afterwards.
Deep-rooted trees
Typically, deep-rooted trees are mostly native to dry regions; after all, they have to reach the water layers, which are also very deep. However, some species only develop taproots when they are young and then convert them into a heart root system when they are fully grown.
Yew (Taxus baccata)
The yew, which is very popular in gardens, is not only known for its toxicity, it is also extremely deep-rooted. The conifer, which grows up to 20 meters high, develops tap roots that are at least two meters deep and, depending on the location, can reach significantly deeper. With age, many fine roots grow close to the surface.
Oak (Quercus)
Oaks develop a strong root system that reaches about 30 to 40 centimeters deep into the soil. However, they are considered difficult to transplant and often die in such an attempt.
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Although the ash tree can grow up to 40 meters high, its taproot reaches a maximum of one and a half meters deep into the earth. Ash trees are among the tallest native trees in Germany.
Pine (Pinus)
With a root depth of up to ten meters, the pine is the classic deep-rooter.
Larch (Larix)
The larch trees, which can grow up to 50 meters high, belong botanically to the pine family. Its taproot can grow up to two meters deep.
Linde (Tilia)
The taproots of the lime trees also grow about two meters deep.
Robinia / pseudo acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia)
The black locust, originally from North America, can grow up to 40 meters high, while its taproot digs up to three meters deep through the soil layers.
Juniper (Juniperus)
Be careful when planting a juniper hedge: Juniperus develops taproots up to six meters deep that are very difficult to remove.
Tip
Some species, such as the walnut tree, only form taproots as young trees and then later develop a shallow root system.
