How deep are the roots of fruit trees? (2023)

There are a multitude of common beliefs about tree roots. For example, many people have learned that a tree's root system is much like its trunk and branches. However, the truth is much more nuanced.

There is no single, simple answer to the question of how deep the roots of fruit trees are, because several factors influence how deep the roots will grow. With that being said, there are some important guidelines worth noting:

The roots of fruit trees are very shallow, often reaching depths of just one meter underground. In fact, they will only grow as deep as they need to find enough water. The breadth of its root system is much more important and extensive.

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You'll also be surprised to learn that all fruit trees, including apple, stone fruit, and citrus trees, have the same depth and width of the root system when planted in the right type of soil and cared for properly.

Root system depth

A common misconception about tree roots is that they go as deep as the height of the tree.The truth is, very few tree roots extend more than 18 inches below the ground.(fuente).

In fact, the trees can grow in just 18 inches of soil; however, fruit trees planted in such shallow soil will be stunted (fuente).

Trees have two types of roots, tap roots and fibrous roots.The main roots grow vertically and can become quite large and trunk-like. Tap roots not only stabilize tree growth above ground, but are also essential for a tree to bring water.

Non-fruit trees generally have only one or two taproots, reaching depths of 30 feet or more.However, many fruit trees do not develop deep roots.(fuente).

There are exceptions based on the type of fruit tree, rootstock, soil quality, and how high or low the water table is in your area. In general, however, fruit trees do not need to have very deep tap roots when planted in good soil with sufficient water and nutrients.

In essence, the drier the soil, the deeper the roots have to grow to get water..

root system width

Fibrous roots, on the other hand, make up the bulk of a tree's root system. They spread horizontally from the base of the tree and thrive primarily in the top 12 inches of the soil, where nutrients are most abundant.(fuente).

Fibrous roots cannot grow and thrive in oxygen-deficient soil. This is mainly the reason why they grow so close to the surface.The deeper the soil, the less likely the roots are to find the oxygen they need.

Fruit trees in the Rosaceae family, such as apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums, are especially dependent on the oxygen they receive from their fibrous roots (fuente🇧🇷 This means that when healthy and thriving, the roots of these types of trees are more likely to have significant width rather than significant depth.

Don't be fooled by the term "stringy."While some fibrous roots are small, less than an inch in diameter, the main fibrous roots of the tree can be from 1 to 4.5 meters in diameter near the trunk.(fuente).

When a tree is healthy, its fibrous root system is likely to be enormous.In fact, a tree's root system can reach a circumference four to seven times the circumference of its branches.(fuente).

Factors Affecting Root Depth

The factors that most influence the depth of the root are:

• soil conditions
• water availability
• pruning practices
• Selection of rootstocks

soil conditions

Ideally, for your tree to be healthy and produce fruit, your soil should meet the following conditions:

• A pH level between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic)
• Clay or sandy consistency
• good drainage

Under these conditions, most of your fruit tree's roots will develop in the top three feet of the soil.

You can also contact your local extension agent or soil specialist to have your soil tested. Alternatively, you can do it yourself.buy a soil test online(link to Amazon). This will let you know the pH level of your soil, as well as the nutrients you may need to supplement.

Additionally, your fruit tree's root system will need plenty of space to grow without competing with other fruit trees for nutrients and water.You can calculate the amount of space needed by the total potential height of the tree. If you expect your fruit tree to be 25 feet tall, don't plant another tree within 25 feet of it (fuente).

solo types

Sandy loam or marl is ideal for trees because it holds moisture, but not excessively, and allows enough oxygen to flow freely in the first few feet of the soil.🇧🇷 Unfortunately, not all growers are blessed with perfect soil.

Tree roots generally thrive in sandy soil due to the availability of oxygen in the sand.🇧🇷 However, the disadvantage of sandy soils is that they drain quickly, sometimes too quickly to meet the needs of the tree. If you have sandy soil, plan to water and fertilize your tree regularly.

If your home is new construction, chances are your backyard is made of "manufactured" dirt.“Done” soil is a term that refers to soil in landscapes that have recently been under construction.Due to grading, compaction with heavy machinery, and mixing of soils from various locations, tree roots will have difficulty establishing themselves in "done" soil (fuente).

The main problem with "manufactured" soil is oxygen loss from compaction, which may require vertical mulch, amended soil, and the help of an arborist to fix.

Clay is extremely problematic for root systems because it is heavy and often soggy.Oxygen does not flow freely in clay soil, so roots cannot grow freely either. Before planting in clay you will need to doI just get ready.

Salty soils are also difficult environments for tree planting.Salts can burn tree roots, but in addition, salty soils often coexist with high water tables, which can lead to rotting of existing roots. Fruit trees are unlikely to thrive in salty soil without much mitigation (fuente).

If the soil in your area is poor, consider planting your fruit tree in a pot (see below).

water availability

Fruit trees require large amounts of water to produce fruit.In fact, a single well established peach tree can use approximately 45 gallons of water per day in the height of summer (fuente).

The problem, of course, is that your roots won't make it.just flooded.

So if you live in an area with good rainfall or a high water table, you probably don't need to water your fruit trees.In fact, watering trees in wet weather is simply not a good idea. To seethis article on the signs of excessive watering of plants.

If you don't know how high your water table is, check theUS Geological Survey National Groundwater Monitoring Network.

During dry periods and in dry areas, fruit trees will need to be watered, but only occasionally.Water young trees every 10-14 days and mature trees every three to four weeks. This occasional watering will encourage your tree's roots to grow deeper toward the water table.

pruning practices

It may seem counterintuitive, but pruning your tree's branches will also affect its root growth.

It is common knowledge that roots and branches pass water and nutrients to each other. However, they also transmit growth hormones (fuente).

When trees are pruned to encourage the growth of new branches, growth hormones in the branches and root system are stimulated.Essentially, as new branches grow, so do new roots.

It is critical to note that this will only happen when the trees are pruned to the appropriate time and degree.

Excessive pruning can lead to a marked decrease in root growth and function.This leads to more health problems for the tree, as it won't be able to absorb as much water and nutrients.

verCan pruning kill a plant? Critical mistakes to avoid

When pruning a newly established sapling, avoid pruning more than 50% of its foliage at one time. Middle-aged trees should not lose more than 25% of their foliage in a single cut, and mature trees should not lose more than 10% of their foliage (fuente).

Don't be afraid to prune your trees, becausepruning promotes healthy branch and root development.Just be careful to prune responsibly to avoid triggering an irrevocable stress response in your tree.

Selection of rootstocks

Rootstocks comprise the lower part of the tree, including its root system. The top of the tree, the sapling, is grafted onto the rootstock. Stone fruits, pears, and apples have different rootstocks that growers can choose from (fuente).

Rootstocks control a few growth variables, such as height, yield, and lifespan.Proper rootstock selection is also a good way to control the size of your fruit tree's root system.🇧🇷 This is especially advantageous for growers with limited space or less than ideal soil conditions.

If space is a concern for you, consider dwarf, semi-dwarf, or extremely dwarf rootstocks.The root systems of these varieties generally only grow in areas of about three to six square feet, compared to the 33 to 39 square foot area of ​​full-size fruit trees (fuente).

Dwarf rootstocks are available for apples, pears, and stone fruits, including some almonds.

Nectarines, peaches, and cherry trees are self-fruitful; they do not need another tree to produce fruit. They can also be grafted onto dwarf rootstocks.This makes them excellent candidates for growers with limited space.

Rootstocks can also affect a fruit tree's tolerance to drought and soil conditions.Some, like the Citation rootstock for stone fruit, have even adapted to toleratepoorly draining soils.

Novice growers should consult their local extension agents or horticulturists for advice on which rootstocks are likely to be successful in their area.

planting depth

apples and pears

When planting pome fruits (apples and pears) that have been grafted onto a rootstock, the general rule of thumb is to keep the scion-rootstock junction four to six inches above the surface.(fuente🇧🇷 Allow some settlement to occur after planting.

stone fruit

You can plant stone fruit trees a little deeper than apple trees; however, if you plant them too deep, they won't get enough oxygen.Make sure the tallest lateral roots are about two inches deep. This will place the graft-pattern junction approximately two inches above the surface (fuente).

Again, wait for the tree to stabilize a bit after planting.

citrus

When planting bare root citrus, measure the root depth and dig the hole to have an inchshallowerthan the root ball(fuente🇧🇷 After backfilling the hole, add about a half inch of soil to the root crown to keep it from drying out.

Diameter vs. Depth

when plantingnonebare root type of fruit tree, unlike planting from seed, the depth of planting is less important than the diameter of the hole.When planting, the roots should not be bent or placed on top of each other. There should be ample space to place them in a natural position (fuente).

Also, digging a hole about twice the width of the new tree's root system will help your tree establish itself.Since it has done the work of breaking up the soil, it will be easier for the roots to grow (fuente).

Cultivation of fruit trees in pots

If you want to plant a fruit tree, but the soil in your area is too difficult, consider growing your tree in a pot. There are several advantages to this approach:

• There are a wide variety of fruit trees that can thrive and bear fruit when planted in a pot, including dwarf cherry trees, limes, Meyer lemons, and even avocados (fuente).
• You have more control over the quality of the soil.Potting mixes that are available at garden centers and nurseries usually work, but you can also make your own potting mix using sand, peat, and perlite (fuente).
• You would have greater control over irrigation.When a tree is in a pot, it's much easier to judge if it's getting enough or too much water (fuente).
• Fruit trees grown in containers generally do not require much, if any, fertilization.Depending on the fruit you plant and the potting mix you use, your tree roots will get all the nutrients they need without supplements (fuente).
• Container planting also allows you to grow fruit that would not normally survive outside of its native climate.🇧🇷 Since the containers are portable, you can move your tree to a winter shelter. Some fruit trees can be grown entirely indoors as long as they get adequate sunlight.

Of course, container-grown trees cannot stretch their root systems as much as trees grown in high-quality soil.This makes the selection of rootstocks and varieties extremely important.Your local extension agent or horticulturist can help you select an appropriate rootstock and scion for the fruit you want to grow.

Conclution

The vast majority of the root system of a fruit tree is shallow horizontal growth. With a few exceptions, they will only develop deep tap roots if no water is available closer to the surface. Fruit tree roots prefer to be in the top three feet of the soil, where they can easily absorb oxygen and other minerals.

If the soil in your region is “done”, clayey or salty soil, don't be discouraged from planting fruit trees! Planting fruit trees in pots gives you control over many important variables and allows you to enjoy your favorite fruits even outside of their native climates.