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| Whenever I see information about how root-pruned trees transplant better (lots of fine, feeder roots), it appears that the thicker, cut roots don't regenerate more, thick, structural roots, instead opting to only produce the finer roots.
Does this pose a potential structural/stability issue in the future, or do at least some of these fine feeder roots eventually thicken and lengthen into structural type roots over time? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by wisconsitom 4/5 WI (My Page) on Mon, Aug 6, 12 at 17:44
| Some do and some other root extensions from uncut portions will become stabilizing roots. But I never have really gotten the concept of root pruning pre-transplant. It seems then that one would have to very carefully cut the new ball dimensions such that it begins just outside of the old cut line. Just seems like something that sounds good on paper and is eminently impractical when actually attempted. +oM |
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| IMHO, it depends on the type of root pruning. For a taproot dependent species, regular undercut root pruning can force formation of more lateral roots making transplanting much easier. Over the last couple years, I have seen a number of species of that were considered difficult to transplant available in 2"+ caliper trees. For exacmple the local city is plant LOTS of White and Scarlet Oaks. I have little doubt this is due to the development of root pruning practice during the production of these trees at the tree farm. Arktrees |
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- Posted by formandfoliage 9b (Sunset zone 15) (My Page) on Mon, Aug 6, 12 at 21:02
| Some interesting stuff here, from the container gardening forum. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Trees in containers
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- Posted by wisconsitom 4/5 WI (My Page) on Mon, Aug 6, 12 at 23:28
| I agree Ark, but if I'm not mistaken, that's more due to new growing systems altogether-rootmaker and so on, than the old-school root pruning I think OP was thinking of. +oM |
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| The trees I'm talking about seeing are B&B. I saw about 10' Sassafras for the first time this year B&B, and they looked good. Also saw 2" caliper B&B White Oaks at the nursery too. I bought and planted a 2" caliper ~14' tall B&B Scarlet Oak November 2010. It has done FABULOUS so far. FAR exceeding my expectations. the local city is also planting White and Scarlet Oak B&B in the parks, with EXCELLENT results. I too think the OP was talking about a different root pruning, but root pruning is so generic, I wanted to make sure everyone understood that the right type of root pruning can be very productive. Arktrees |
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- Posted by hairmetal4ever Z7 MD (My Page) on Tue, Aug 7, 12 at 8:58
| Wade and Gatton in Ohio has offered very large oaks B & B (3" and bigger) for quite a few years IIRC. I never bought from them when I lived in OH, but I heard good things about them. I'm not sure if they use root pruning or not. |
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- Posted by strobiculate none (My Page) on Tue, Aug 7, 12 at 9:26
| In general, the bigger the tree, the more likely root pruning has been used. 2 and 3" stock is barely large enough to qualify...the only root pruning that has been done was in production of the liner used as a transplant to be grown on and harvested ata certain size. Start getting into 5 and6" stock, and larger, specifically with direct spade where the spader has his own field, and there you see much more root pruning. Fancy term for what amounts to transolantung a tree a time or two around your iwn field...or simply dropping the spade blades and retracting them without lifting the tree. As to the original question, eventually the root system will develop the primary, secondary, tertiary, etc. roots become the anchoring system for a large tree. This is rarely talked about because what is talked about us the much more fibrous root system thst is developed in the short term...which is what you want to create a plant more likely to survive a transplant. But every time you handle something, you add to the cost. So people create a narrative that they feel explains why they do what they do. A lot of nursery growers are better at explaining what they do in technical terms (what they care about) than what it means for you in practical terms (what you care about). |
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| I just dug up a Cornus mas and it sent out millions of fine feeder roots off the thick roots that where cut. I also dug up a Cornus kousa and the think roots didn't product any roots. No wonder it couldn't pump water to the leaves after a year and half. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Aug 7, 12 at 12:16
| i got my 40 bare root oak trees from wade and gatton in 2000 ... 6 to 8 foot bare root.. straight from their cooler warehouse.. in april they are all going on 30+ feet ... they looked much like this cherry i am struggling with your premise : Does this pose a potential structural/stability issue in the future ==>> it would be my position.. that a tree has a genetic predisposition to grow roots to support the structure above.. and that would include fine feeder roots.. and large structural roots ... and whatever is done in IMMATURITY .. in pots for production reasons ... is irrelevant to its mature root structure ... once out of the pot... they are going to do.. what the genetics tell them to do ... and once established.. the whole potting issue/theory.. is irrelevant.. [setting aside strangling itself with circling roots .. which isnt your premise as i understand it] ken |
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