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