Tree roots usually don't go very deep!

One of the biggest misconceptions about #trees is that most species have a deep root system that match the size and shape of the tree's crown. For most temperate species, however, roots extend laterally outwards - sometimes up to 2 or 3 times the length of the tree's spread, and rarely go deeper than 3 feet. Of course, there are species that are adapted to super dry soils and can send roots extremely deep underground in search of water, but about 80% of studied trees have a root system that usually doesn't penetrate further than 3 feet. This is because roots need oxygen to carry out cellular respiration, and oxygen is seldom found in deep soil. In forests, where hundreds of trees are sharing the same soil space, research has shown that trees can potentially communicate and share nutrients through this interconnected network. #plants #tree #roots #root #forest #forestry #treesofinstagram #arborist #treeroots #soil #oxygen #science #fungalnetwork #mycohrrizae
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[FourthDimensionalHillBilly]

It’s great to see trees communicating and getting back to their roots.

[UlshaRS]

This is why native grasses are essential. They are the plants that go deep into the soil

[nigachad]

trees fr having a more supportive society than people

[calBeowulf]

Both sets of my grandparents were growers, they taught my parents who taught me, so I've grown up understanding this: where there's adequate rain, roots will grow spread out but relatively shallow; where there's less rain, plant roots will reach deep for ground water but with less circumference.

[monkeymanchronicles]

I feel like this contextualizes why deforested areas (especially on sloping terrain) suffer such horrible erosion. The tree is holding back massive amounts of soil with a relatively thin layer of roots. Once those roots decay all bets are off for the soil underneath,

[goldoshaino]

It depends on the type of tree, some prefer deep roots and others prefer wide roots

[meredithwhittaker]

You know your lonely when the trees have a better social life then you do.

[trudgingtheroadofhappydest]

🇨🇦 I don't usually comment but I feel so happy everyone is so excited to be talking about, even the bickering about, trees. I love all trees. This is great!

[Alexandros.Mograine]

Also a note: trees that fall usually dont have much trees around them, because otherwise the roots would interlock together and keep the trees steady.

[youtubeuser]

And they make each other more stable when they’re roots are all intertwined like that in the forest

[meerkat]

Dude just casually mentions that trees can talk to each other before leaving

[TripleXMango]

I deal in septic systems, and this is something I run into a lot. New systems have to be 15m from any trees, but old systems are the wild west. I installed a new tile bed in a yard with an 80 year old tank. There was a crab apple tree about 20m away, and it’s tap root had grown all the way over, and in to the septic tank.

[jefffinkbonner]

“The trees are strong my lord. Their roots go deep.”

[myheartwillstopinjoy]

Something about the trees being connected at the roots and being capable of sharing nutrients and communicate is so wholesome. I wonder what they tell each other, in tree language?

[gavinatkins]

I think a big factor is how they are watered (naturally and otherwise). It’s common in west Texas for naturally grown trees relying on the tiny amount of rain to have massive root systems compared to one’s planted and then never hurt for water in their life.

[poniesatemypencils]

The root network is so incredible. We need to cherish nature more, nature is healing.

[Blaze]

Depends on the area. In colder climate roots are more spread as you explained, in tropics root can reach downward because of softer soils the trees are growing in.

[radicaledward]

This is why old growth forests are so important, the roots almost teach the new trees how to tree better from my understanding.

[nataliramirez]

I am a gardener and THANK YOU. Absolutely the info ive been needing. And yes they do talk to eachother ❤🥺 It's so cute!

[cam]

It takes a fun guy to keep a group connected.