Home About edenarb Contracting Contact Details - Tree Basics Leaves Branches & Trunk Root Systems Health CODIT Leaves Trunk & Branches Root System Structural Care Tools Hand Power Safety Pruning Formative Small Branch Large Branch Advanced Selection Planting Identification Native UK Trees Environment Legislation Photo Gallery EDENARB Trees Miscellaneous Credits Links   Roots   We set off at the top of the tree and now we have to go underground. To summarise we have basically seen the leaves produce food and the branches/trunk provide a structure and transport system for the tree.   Without roots the tree would not stand up, so that’s the obvious function out of the way. We have discussed photosynthesis and know that water is essential, so roots provide the tree with water. They also absorb minerals and nutrients and act as storage vessels for starch. The vascular system can then transport these when required to the rest of the tree.   That just about covers the functions of roots, but there are other important factors associated with roots that we should be aware of.   In the same way that a leaf needs light roots need moisture and oxygen, therefore most of the absorbing roots are found close to the surface. These small fibrous absorbing roots are responsible for providing the tree with water and minerals and are often found in the upper six inches of soil. The large woody roots which store starch are generally found in the upper three feet of soil.   Roots branch out in a similar way to the crown of a tree but do not mirror its image. Because they have their own specific needs they will form a growth pattern and structure as best they can to satisfy this. It is therefore not uncommon for the root system of a tree to be biased to an area where pore spaces between soil particles are not compacted and contain the necessary oxygen and water for growth.   Many people used to believe, and some probably still do, that a guide to the extent of a trees root growth was the trees dripline (outer edge of its crown), this is totally false.   Damage to root systems of is a major factor to the death of many trees. Roots should be treated with the utmost respect and the effects of any change to their environment/or any damage sustained understood.     In the same way as a branch will grow to light a root will grow towards the most favourable condition. This can be obvious (the hard standing at A) or less so where there may be conditions such as compaction (B), poor drainage or a lack of nutrients.