Like any plant, conifers need roots to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Depending on the tree species and its preferred habitat, conifers can develop different root systems. Some species belong to the flat-rooted species, while others develop deep roots. This knowledge is not only important when planting, but also in the event that the tree and its roots have to be pulled out of the ground again.
Among the conifers there are both deep and shallow roots
Root types and depths
In principle, every plant species belongs to a specific root type. However, it is impossible to predict how deep the roots of a particular tree will actually reach, as their growth depends on several factors. The root depth depends, among other things, on the soil layers in which water and nutrients are located. For this reason, trees on nutrient-poor and/or dry soil often have very deep roots. Furthermore, soil compaction has a major impact on root depth - the firmer the soil, the shallower the tree roots grow, even with very deep roots. This in turn is the reason why, before planting a tree, the soil should first be thoroughly loosened and, if necessary, improved.
shallow roots
Shallow-rooted plants are plants whose roots fan out just below the surface. These roots do not go deep or only a little, but the widely branched system can grow several meters in width. Typical flat-rooted plants are, for example, thuja, false cypress, cypress, Douglas fir, hemlock and sickle fir as well as the native spruce.
deep and heart roots
Depending on the type and location, the roots of a deep-rooting plant can reach many meters deep. Many tree species form a strong taproot, which makes later replanting more difficult. These include pine and fir. On the other hand, deep-rooted conifers without taproots are yew, juniper and cedar. Incidentally, heart roots are trees that develop a fairly deep, yet compact root system. This includes the larch.
Remove the coniferous tree and its roots - this is how it works
Unlike many species of deciduous trees, removing a conifer and its roots is not a complicated matter, as the root system does not have to be removed in its entirety - conifers do not usually sprout from the rootstock, instead the roots left behind gradually rot. It is best to proceed as follows:
- Saw off the tree, but leave a piece of the trunk.
- Now pierce the roots with a sharp spade all around.
- Now dig a ditch in the same spot, a spade deep.
- Loosen the roots with a digging fork.
- Lever out the rest of the trunk including the roots with the same.
tips
Before you replant the area that has been freed up, the soil needs to be replaced: the location has often become acidic over the years and is therefore unusable for many garden plants.