The expected root depth is important information that has a lot of influence on the right location and the optimal soil conditions. Deep-rooted fruit trees, for example, should be planted in deeply loosened, uncompacted soil - and not necessarily directly over an underground water pipe. Shallow roots, on the other hand, need a lot of space in width - and should not necessarily be placed in front of a wall or other structure. Under certain circumstances, their spreading roots could damage this.
Apple trees are shallow-rooted
Root depth depends on various factors
However, the root depth to be expected is not only dependent on the type and variety of fruit, as the root system can adapt to existing conditions. Trees only root really deep when they absolutely have to - for example, because the subsoil is sandy, dry and nutrient-poor. In this case, the tree will try to stretch its roots down to get the water and nutrients it needs. Conversely, the roots of deep-rooted plants remain on the surface when the soil is compacted or simply too wet - the tree tries to avoid this by developing an atypical root system. Even a solitary plant often has deeper roots than the trees in a group planting.
Typical root systems of popular fruit species
In addition to the factors already mentioned that influence root depth, there is another point that has a significant influence on the development of the root system: the substrate. All fruit trees are usually grafted, with the substrate forming the roots and thus also determining how deep they go. However, the grafted noble variety has no influence on this, which is why you should always know the rootstock and its root system. Only then can the fruit tree receive an optimal environment through the planting. The following classification shows you to which root type many popular types of fruit are usually counted - as long as they have not been grafted onto a different rooting base.
shallow roots
Most types of fruit - both tree and bush fruit - belong to the flat-rooted family. These include, for example, apples, cherries, hazelnuts (bush) as well as currants, gooseberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Deep-rooters and Heart-rooters
Deep roots can form a taproot, but do not always have to. Heart roots, on the other hand, are plants that form a fairly compact, rather deep rootstock. This group includes, for example, nut types such as walnut and tree hazel, sweet chestnuts and pears.
tips
Shallow-rooted fruit trees in particular should be secured with a stake when they are planted so that they are not knocked over in the next storm.