I think tree roots are amazing. Trees must have a healthy canopy to survive. Luckily tree canopy health is relatively easy to assess. However, they must also have a healthy root system. If you have looked through the blog at all, you realize that I write a lot about roots. It would be helpful to read about root spread  and types of roots before you continue. Roots live a secret life beneath the ground, therefore they are harder to assess. Fortunately, trees along creeks provide some insight into roots. The banks of the streams wash away, and as a result roots are exposed. This post is about root adaptations. The photo above is an excellent example of root adaptations. Certainly it took many years for these roots to grow like that. Read more to find out how this is applied to cutting roots or planting large trees in small spaces.

Minor Root Adaptations

The primary roots on this tree are growing as expected. They are the size and shape of typical Beech roots in the forest. At some point, it appears that the bank eroded. As a result, the primary roots adapted by growing down instead of away from the trunk. You can see along the bank how typical secondary roots would grow out away from the tree.

Old Root Adaptations

The root adaptations in this photo most likely happened when the tree was very young. The primary root in the center of the photo is large and growing down. Its secondary roots are growing back towards the tree. Streams erode over time. As a result, smaller roots were damaged or severed. Typically roots grow out away from the tree. One reason is to provide structural support. A one-sided root system is always less stable than a uniform root system. In the forest, trees have the protection of the entire forest canopy. Lone standing trees with one sided root systems maybe more likely to fail.

Roots on a Slope

This root adaptation is really interesting. These primary roots are also growing down. However, it appears that the cause is the angle of the bank and not erosion. Again, you can easily see the primary and secondary roots. Some of the secondary roots are growing down and others are growing laterally. It takes years for these roots to grow. Primary roots that are cut will not regenerate quickly enough to provide structural stability.

Adaptations Impacted by Water Flow

This example is slightly different. The creek flows from left to right. Due to force of the water, the roots are growing mostly to the right. They look like they are flowing in the water. Of course, this took many years to create.

Take Away: Roots can adapt, but it takes many years.