3 Purposes of the Root System

The root system is found underground, which hides it from the naked eye, but it accomplishes the following three purposes:

• Anchoring and support
• Water and mineral intake
• Energy Storage

Anchoring and Support

If we could remove all of the soil around a tree and expose the roots without damaging them, we would find that the roots near the trunk are large in diameter, similar to the first set of lower branches that protrude from the trunk. These large roots hold the tree to the earth and support the tree from heavy loads and high winds.

Roots Close to the Trunk Anchor Trees

Water and Mineral Intake

As these large roots move away from the center of the tree they continue to divide into smaller and smaller roots until they reach the furthest tips of the canopy. The roots at the farthest end are small in diameter and fibrous in appearance, These fibrous roots are responsible for water and mineral intake.

If we drew a line in the soil at the furthest point of the canopy, this line would be called the drip line. The drip line is where, in a rain storm, water drips from the canopy as seen below. The leaves of the tree funnel water outward, towards the edge of the canopy so the majority of the water is concentrated where the fibrous roots are located, making it more available to the tree.

Tree Canopies Funnel Water to Fibrous Roots

Energy Storage

When leaves create sugars to feed the tree, it uses some of that energy to make more sugar. Because leaves are so efficient, they can use the sugar they need and pass the surplus to the branch that the leaf is attached to. That branch uses the energy it needs and passes the surplus down the line, until it reaches the root system. Sugars are stored in the plant tissues for next spring. 

Even though your fruit tree's roots are unseen, the are an important part of the tree's anatomy and should be treated with care. It is important that you avoid cutting roots, tilling around trees, or driving heavy equipment over the roots.

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