Roots and water

American Forests, Summer, 2005

Tree Doctor: How do you plant a tree so the roots grow down not up for water?

T.J. Comer

Via e-mail

Howard Burnett responds: Tree roots grow where they can get the nutrients needed for growth. In most cases some 90 percent of a tree's roots are within the top foot of soil; really mostly in the top six inches. They have to go deep to get the nutrients they need, dissolved in water, at that depth. If your trees can get adequate moisture at the surface, they will. No planting technique will help--the roots will do the job they think is called for in providing nutrition and support for the tree, and will take the easiest path to do. Roots are the price we have to pay to have the shade, beauty, dust-filtering, air-conditioning savings, and all the other benefits of our trees!

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