Read a study from UC Davis about how tree roots actually grow

I was scrolling through forestry journals last week and saw this paper from UC Davis. It basically said tree roots don't really go deep like we think, they spread out sideways way more. Made me rethink how I dig around houses and sidewalks now. Has anyone else started estimating root zones different after reading something like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_logan24d agoMost Upvoted

Did that study mention any specific species that are worse for this sideways spreading, or is it pretty much the same across the board?

wilson.jesse24d ago

Man, I dunno if they singled out any species but knowing my luck it's probably whatever plant I'm trying to grow in my back yard. I swear I could plant a cactus in pure sand and it'd still find a way to spread sideways into my neighbor's lawn just to spite me. The study I saw was mostly about some invasive grass types but honestly pretty much everything does it if you give it enough time. My basil last summer literally crawled three feet across the planter box before I even noticed, like it was trying to escape.