Poplars are extremely prolific deciduous trees. They secure their species existence not only generatively via thousands upon thousands of fluffy flying seeds, but also generatively via root suckers. This can become a real problem for garden owners.

The poplar spreads extensively underground

Interesting facts about poplar roots

Poplars have a root system that is classified between the groups of horizontal and heart roots. So their roots grow mostly horizontally in all directions and remain rather close to the earth's surface. There is no dominating main root strand that leads vertically downwards, as in the case of taproots. Rather, coarse and fine roots of different thicknesses share the task of absorbing minerals and water.

The fine roots of poplars are comparatively long and little branched. They pull the minerals and water up into the tree. The coarse roots serve to hold the plant in the ground.

Poplars have many horizontally growing side roots or secondary roots that are formed inside the roots and grow vertically from the main root. These lateral roots can become a real problem for garden owners. Because they like to form saplings, through which the tree reproduces vegetatively in addition to seed propagation.

To remember:

  • Poplars are a mix of horizontal and heart roots
  • form many sprouting side roots for vegetative propagation

Sapling rage at felling

It gets particularly bad when a poplar is felled more than 2/3 of its original height and its rootstock is left standing. The activity of the rootstock, which is anything but dead, then concentrates downwards and feels all the more spurred on to produce as many more offspring as it can. The result: A veritable sapling forest develops around the stump.

The problem: The sprouting activity of the horizontal roots is not stopped even if you cut off the saplings again and again. Although mowing the lawn regularly is a relatively convenient and initially effective solution, the stalks of the mini poplars make it prickly when you walk barefoot because of their firmer consistency compared to grass. And as I said: It's a Sisyphus task.

The only permanently effective means: digging out

In order to put an end to the constant re-sprouting of the mini poplars, there is no use: the root stump of the mother poplar has to be dug up. Of course, this is a complex job that can actually only be done with the help of motorized equipment.

Category:

Trees