1. Strengthening our Community Tree Canopy Through Education
Module #6:
Root Systems of Trees & Palms
Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty

2. Strengthening Our Community Tree Canopy
2012 Urban Forestry Series
This series is a part of a project titled “Strengthening Our Community Tree Canopy Through Education”.
This project is made possible by  a grant through the 2011 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Florida Forest Service.

3. Root Systems – Trees & Palms

4. Root Zone of Root Hairs Zone of Elongation Apical Meristem Root Cap
International Society of Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org

5. Healthy root systems grow away from trunk
Broadleaf tree roots continue to increase in diameter
Example of good root structure- roots grow away from the trunk and don’t circle or girdle.
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski

6. Facts About Roots Most trees don’t have tap roots
Roots grow well beyond dripline
Damaging roots on one side of a tree can cause damage to the canopy on that side
Root pruning stimulates growth near the cuts
Andrew Koeser, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org

7. Facts About Roots
Circling roots do not continue to circle once planted in the landscape
Most roots are in the top 3’ of soil with the majority in the very top
International Society of Arboriculture, International Society of Arboriculture, Bugwood.org

8. Palm tree roots do not increase in diameter
Palm Roots
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Palm tree roots do not increase in diameter
Continuous generation, mostly primary and secondary roots that live ~ 3 years
ROOT INITIATION ZONE

9. Palm Roots
Photos: UF Laura Sanagorski

10. Palm Root Regeneration
Species
Root-stub length (inches)
Avg. no.
of new roots
<6
6-12
12-24
24-36
Cocos nucifera 47 61 50 20
Phoenix reclinata 2 8 32 62
Roystonea regia 1 6 24 36 97
Sabal palmetto 3
196
Syagrus romanzoffiana 41 49 57 13
Washingtonia robusta 14 31 59
144
Table 1. Average percentage of cut roots branching in four different root-length classes.- From Broschat and Donselman (1984; 1990).

11. Strengthening our Community Tree Canopy Through Education
Module #6:
Root Systems of Trees & Palms
Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty