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Research ArticleArticles

Causes and Consequences of Deep Structural Roots in Urban Trees: From Nursery Production to Landscape Establishment

Susan D. Day, Gary Watson, P. Eric Wiseman and J. Roger Harris
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) July 2009, 35 (4) 182-191; DOI: https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2009.031
Susan D. Day
Susan D. Day (corresponding author), Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech, 228 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, U.S.,
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Gary Watson
Gary Watson, Senior Research Scientist, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois, U.S.
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P. Eric Wiseman
P. Eric Wiseman, Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech, 228 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, U.S.
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J. Roger Harris
J. Roger Harris, Professor, Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech, 301 Saunders Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, U.S.
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    Figure 1.

    Excavated root system of approximately four-year-old nursery tree showing root and trunk regions resulting from propagation and nursery production practices.

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    Figure 2.

    Framework for predicting establishment and short-term survival and health of landscape trees with deep structural roots.

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    Table 1.

    Minimum depth of root collar where effect of deep structural roots was demonstrated for various species. Effects observed and possible contributing factors are summarized. Reports that showed no effects are not listed and are instead discussed in the text. Some studies did not include shallower depths than those indicated. only controlled experiments demonstrating the effect described was due to deep structural roots are listed.

    SpeciesMinimum depth of root collar where effect was evident (cm)Possible contributing factorsEffects observedPublished Report
    Acer rubrum15Adventitious root formationIncrease in girdling roots(Wells et al. 2006)
    Corylus colurna15NoneGirdling root present(Day and Harris 2008)
    Corylus colurna30 (not observed at 15)FloodingMortality of established trees associated with flooding(Day and Harris 2008)
    Lagerstroemia indica × faureiei; Fraxinus pensylvanica; Nerium oleander; Platanus occidentalis7.5Clay soils, trees rely on irrigationLower survival 3 years after transplant(Arnold et al. 2007)
    Koelreuteria bipinnata7.5Sandy loam underlain by clay pan, trees rely on irrigationReduced growth and survival(Arnold et al. 2005)
    Quercus virginianaNo minimum depth, effect increased with planting depth up to maximum tested of 18 cmOnly occurred when minimal irrigation was supplied after a dry period—effect therefore attributed to water not reaching rootballDecrease in plant water potential (water stress)(Gilman and Grabosky 2004)
    Phoenix roebelenii30 (not observed at 15)Root initiation zone extends 15 cm up the trunk on these treesFoliar Mn deficiency, reduced survival(Broschat 1995)
    Prunus × yedoensis15Wet soils—effect was exacerbated on lower portion of the slopeIncreased mortality during establishment(Wells et al. 2006)
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Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF): 35 (4)
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF)
Vol. 35, Issue 4
July 2009
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Causes and Consequences of Deep Structural Roots in Urban Trees: From Nursery Production to Landscape Establishment
Susan D. Day, Gary Watson, P. Eric Wiseman, J. Roger Harris
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) Jul 2009, 35 (4) 182-191; DOI: 10.48044/jauf.2009.031

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Causes and Consequences of Deep Structural Roots in Urban Trees: From Nursery Production to Landscape Establishment
Susan D. Day, Gary Watson, P. Eric Wiseman, J. Roger Harris
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) Jul 2009, 35 (4) 182-191; DOI: 10.48044/jauf.2009.031
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • DEEP STRUCTURAL ROOTS: HISTORY AND PREVALENCE
    • DEEP STRUCTURAL ROOTS: NURSERY PRODUCTION ISSUES
    • DEEP STRUCTURAL ROOTS: LANDSCAPE ESTABLISHMENT ISSUES
    • FUTURE INVESTIGATION
    • CONCLUSIONS
    • Acknowledgments
    • LITERATURE CITED
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Keywords

  • Buried Roots
  • Deep Planting
  • girdling roots
  • Propagation
  • Root Architecture
  • root morphology
  • Urban Forestry

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