Tap Root Damage/Death in English Oak Saplings.

Timothy Rochford

Hi, I planted some English Oak acorns two autumns ago and when I recently repotted them I noticed that in several saplings the tap roots had grown out from the drainage holes in the plant pots and had withered away and died despite possessing apparently heathy stems and leaves. Does the loss of their tap roots mean that these little oak trees will never have a deep rooted anchor in the soil? I thought that the tap root was the most important root from which all other major roots grew. I would like to plant them somewhere soon and hope that in the years to come they will be able to withstand high winds etc. Please provide me with detailed information and advice if possible. Many thanks, Timothy Rochford (a newcomer).

Eric Frei

Dont worry, there's a lot of misconception about tap roots.

Many trees as they mature experience tap root die back.

Trees have more shallow wider root systems than deeper because they need air, water and nutrient which is found closer to the top ..... unless in sandy soil especially with nearby ground water.

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