The Root of the Problem

Working round the sprawling feeding system of precious city trees can be a crucial part of urban regeneration projects, writes Chris Baines

The Biologist Vol 61(1) p16-19

The broad bean has a lot to answer for. Thanks to that primary school experiment with a jam jar and blotting paper, the idea that all roots grow vertically downwards is firmly embedded in the national psyche. Unfortunately this is not helpful when it comes to the care and protection of big trees in towns and cities.

Even the most majestic of specimens has a root system that grows horizontally through the uppermost half metre of the ground. The roots generally extend far beyond the tips of the branches and their shallowness makes them vulnerable....

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