The root system plays an extremely important role for any tree. It not only keeps it in a vertical position, but also ensures the flow of water and minerals necessary for the vital activity of each plant.
In order to carry out competent care for apple garden (watering, loosening, fertilizing ), you should know exactly where it has horizontal roots.
How do the roots of the apple tree grow?
The root system of the apple-tree is referred to as the furry type. It has been growing for many years, stopping its development at the time of tree transplants.
There are horizontal roots (thanks to them, air and basic nutrients arrive to the tree) and vertical (they strengthen the tree in the soil and carry moisture and minerals from deeper layers). The depth of occurrence of vertical roots depends on the region where the tree grows, and on the variety. Thus, in the Siberian apple tree, the root system lies at a shallow depth, in Chinese and forest varieties - in deeper layers of soil.
In addition, the root system of the apple tree has one more classification: it is skeletal and overgrown (friable) roots. The first represent the main, the thickest roots of the tree, and the second - the small and thin, they are much larger. Functions of overgrown roots - suck in water and mineral salts, as well as release into the environment products of decay. This type of roots is in the upper soil layer (up to 50 cm) within the crown projection. Therefore, it is in this space that the application of fertilizers will have an effect.
As for the length of the roots of the apple tree, it increases year by year. When transplanting seedlings in a schoolchild, and then on a permanent site, the roots are traumatized, and their growth is temporarily suspended. Formation of the root skeleton continues until about 20 years of age, then the tree only increases the length and thickness of the roots.
It should also be noted the sensitivity of apple roots to low temperatures (most varieties, except Siberian, suffer already at -20 ° C). There is also a close relationship between roots and wood: any damage to the bark of the apple tree depresses its root system.