Thuja is considered a representative of the Cypress family. In European countries gained popularity since the XVI century. This coniferous tree is known for its decorative effect throughout the world. Knowing the features of its root system will help the gardener or landscape designer to properly plant and apply competent agricultural techniques to make the plant healthy and well-groomed.
The structure of the root system
The considered representative of conifers has a compact and fibrous root system. This underground organ has a white color at the ends, which are strengthened by a protective formation. This so-called root cover protects the extreme part of the roots from damage. The underground organ of the thuja consists of the main core root, from which the lateral processes, covered with small villi, depart, which can be easily damaged. Thuja root first has yellowness, and with age, it turns into brown.
Did you know? Etymological studies of the name “Thuja” speak of the origin of the word from the ancient Greek language, which translates as “incense”. The interpretation is related to the ceremony of sacrifice by burning, where thuja wood was used as raw material.
Small roots are extremely brittle and prone to damage. If you grind them, they will highlight a pleasant coniferous aroma. The shape of the root system is diverse. To a greater extent, it depends on its formation and landing site. On open ground, the roots are hemispherical. Growing in a pot, the roots will take the form of a container.
How roots grow and develop
The root system of the conifer in question has specific features of growth and development. Knowing the size of the underground part of the arborvitae and the specifics of its distribution will provide the gardener with the correct planting of the plant and its further care.
Important! The representative of the Cypress family under consideration should not be planted near asphalt. Due to proliferation, the lateral roots will easily raise the road surface.
Wide or deep
The conifer in question is not characterized by a large root system. It does not go very deep into the soil, but is parallel to the surface of the earth, under a layer of soil. But at the same time, it cannot be said that the considered part of the plant grows only in width, in some varieties it develops almost uniformly both horizontally and in depth. But due to the numerous lateral processes that are intertwined, the root system can be considered branched.
There are cases when the root is partially visible from under the soil. This situation can be corrected by hilling the trunk.
Dimensions of the root system
The underground part of most varieties of arborvitae is 20% of the entire height of the trunk. The roots usually reach a depth of 70–75 cm and a width of 60–80 cm. The radius of the underground growth of thuja can reach 2 m. Therefore, when planting this coniferous plant near the fence, it is necessary to draw up a planting pattern so that the indentation is 1 m or more, so that the roots got good ventilation.
Dependence of sizes on type and variety
Thuja has several varieties, which, in turn, are divided into many varieties.
In the world, the following four types are considered the most famous:
- Western. This plant is distinguished by a branched and superficial root system.
- Folded. The underground part of such a thuja has similar characteristics to the western one, but their size is much larger.
- Korean The plant has a compact root system, which does not lie very deep in the ground (up to 0.5 m), approximately 50–70 cm in diameter.
- Japanese This tree is characterized by a medium-deepened core root, as well as significant branching.
When buying thuja seedlings, the gardener should not be afraid of the small dimensions of a coma containing the roots of a tree. This is not a sign of poor organ development, but the result of scaling the plant. This procedure will provide a safe transplant thuja.
Characterizing the size of the underground part of various varieties of western arborvitae, they can be grouped in this way:
- small (Aurescens, Bodmeri, Cristata, Danica, Ellegantissima, Europa Gold, Filiformis, Globosa, Golden Globe, Holmstrup, Little Gem, Little Champion, Smaragd, Sunkist, Tiny Tim, Variegata, Woodwardii);
- medium (Brabant, Columna, Fastigiata).
Thus, there are many more varieties of thuja with a compact root system. On average, the root diameter is 30-60 cm.
Varieties of folded thuja also have a root system of various sizes:
- small (Cuprea, Hillieri, Rogersii, Stoneham gold);
- medium (Atrovirens, Aurescens, Excelsa, Zebrina).
Thus, the roots of different representatives of this species of coniferous tree can have a diameter of less than 1 m, and about 2 m.
Dependence of growth on soil quality
The fact is known that the development of a tree, its dimensions, including the underground part, directly depends on the type of soil and its nutritional value. The considered representative of the Cypress family has a rooted root system, which will be preserved throughout the life of the plant if the tree grows on nutrient-drained soil. The poorer the soil, the faster the central root is lost among the lateral processes. Such a root system will be located closer to the surface of the earth.
Video: Thuja care
Relatively moist soil, which is periodically mulched in the summer, favorably affects the development of the underground part of the arborvitae, which can last throughout the growing season. With insufficient moisture in the soil, the growth of the roots slows down, thereby setting them aside in "sleep mode". The root system stops growing if the earth is dry and its temperature is above + 23 ° C. Also, the body stops developing when the soil is cooled in the autumn, regardless of the degree of moisture.
Active root growth can be traced at temperatures from +10 to + 18 ° С and humidity of 10–16%. To normalize the development of the underground part of the arborvitae, it is recommended to plant trees in medium loams with a relative nutrient level, slightly acidic and moderately moist. In other cases, the soil must be improved with various nutrient components.Did you know? Sichuan thuja, also known as "panda among plants", from the end of the XX century. was considered an endangered species. Thanks to Chinese experts, today the number of artificially grown seedlings planted in the wild is more than 200 thousand copies.
Considered coniferous plant does not like wetlands. If the tree is not transplanted in time, then it can soon rot.
In general, the root system of the thuja can be characterized as branched, relatively compact, and also such that it is parallel to the earth's surface. Despite this, the considered underground part of the tree has features of growth and development, depending on the plant variety, as well as the type and condition of the soil.