Isn't it amazing what height a pine tree can reach. Its crown rises meters high into the sky. But the tree you can see on the surface of the earth isn't the whole story. As you see the trunk and its needle-lined crown, an extensive root system stretches below you.
What does the root system of a pine tree look like?
Pines are deep-rooted plants, whose root system varies depending on the nature of the soil: on loamy soils the pine forms a heart root, on rocky or shallow soil it forms a branched and extensive shallow-grazing system, and on loose, deep soil it forms a deep taproot.
The pine tree - a deep rooter
The pine is a deep-rooted plant. Their roots reach deep into the soil to supply themselves with groundwater and nutrients. However, the exact length of the root depth always depends on the development of the tree. Decisive factors include whether there are other pine trees in the vicinity and how much the pine tree has to adapt to the climatic conditions.
Different root systems on different soils
The root system of a pine tree varies with different soil conditions. Depending on its nature, the conifer forms the following roots:
- on heavy, clayey soils the pine forms a heart root
- On rocky or shallow soils, the pine forms a very branched, extensive and shallow root system
- on loose, deep soil the pine forms a deep taproot
Optimal adaptation through the taproot
The taproot is characterized by its enormous root depth. It grows vertically into the ground and forms several root strands that emerge from the so-called radicula. The taproot is typical of conifers such as the pine and makes it a pioneer tree. This means that the pine can adapt to even the most extreme site conditions. Since a taproot reaches particularly deep into the earth, it gives the conifer enough support to grow in stormy places. The pine tree can survive even in stony mountains and access the groundwater.
Pine roots make it difficult to change location
However, the extensive, deep root system also has disadvantages for both the gardener and himself. Changing location means a lot of effort for both. If your pine tree is over five years old, transplanting it is not recommended. At this point, the roots have already grown so large that the tree cannot be easily pulled out of the ground. Root strands have to be painstakingly cut through with a spade. Remnants are likely to remain in the ground. During this work, the pine tree suffers great losses. The roots are missing at the new location. There is a risk of undersupply, which could possibly cause the jaw to collapse.
