Major root failure patterns (Norris 2005; Coder 2010).
| Failure pattern | Effect on root system | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | A straight root is pulled directly from the soil | Sudden failure as frictional forces between soil and tapered root are exceeded |
| Type 2 | A lateral root with many small lateral roots pulled | Slower failure as there is a gradual failure after a major force is applied as small lateral roots progressively break |
| Type 3 | Major branched roots are pulled | Failure occurs in abrupt steps as major root components break |