Where can I find information about how deep and far roots go?

[sasha.p]

Just wondered can anyone point me in the right direction I know some trees have tap roots and others spread wide but is there anything that I can look at that will give me some idea of what trees do what?

[Paul Barton]

Two relevant books you might read are 'Tree roots in the built environment' and 'Up by roots' by James Urban.

[Goaty]

Also depends on soil type. For example Ash fraxinus excelsior on deep loamy land will be mainly a fibrous ball of roots, on clay/rocky land it will send taproots down.

[sasha.p]

Thank you for the info will have to have a look for the books and get reading,I guess it depends on what nutrients they are able to find as to how far they send the roots depending on the soil type as you say, thanks guys

[face cord]

Don't trees genarally have roots as big as the top part of the tree?

[skyhuck]

Don't trees genarally have roots as big as the top part of the tree?

 

No, that what used to be believed, big storm of 87 brought about a better understanding.

 

The best analogy to use these days is a wine glass, if you look at the base of a wine glass in comparison to the top, the major roots of a tree are generally in similar proportion.