Abstract
Root system deformation was studied in 23 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in central Sweden. The study comprised both plantations created with container-grown plants (Paperpot) and natural stands including young (7–9 year old) and older (19–24 year old) trees. Trees were measured with regards to distribution of roots, root deformation, stability, stem straightness and wood properties in stumps. Root distribution was most uniform for naturally regenerated trees. Older trees generally showed a better root distribution than young trees. The young planted trees displayed a high frequency of severely spiralled root systems, while only a few of the older trees had spiralled root systems. No severe root deformations were observed on naturally regenerated trees. Naturally regenerated trees were more stable than those which had been planted. Differences in bending moment, when trees were pulled to an angle of 10°, were considerable between young planted and naturally regenerated trees, but less pronounced for the older trees. Young planted trees had the highest frequency of severely crooked stem bases, while naturally regenerated trees had the straightest mode of growth. Tensile strength in peripheral wood samples of the stumps was substantially lower for planted than for naturally regenerated trees. Strain values to breakage of wood samples, taken from the root collar and the central- and peripheral part of the stump were lower for planted trees. The conclusions from this study are that root distribution, tree stability and stem straightness of planted Paperpot-grown trees will improve after a certain time and approach the state of naturally regenerated trees. As trees grow older, early established crooked stem bases will be compensated by radial growth and the tree will appear straighter. Inside the stem, however, problems may still remain with abnormal fibre direction and compression wood together with inferior root strength due to fibre disturbances as a result of spiralled roots.
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Lindström, A., Rune, G. Root deformation in plantations of container-grown Scots pine trees: effects on root growth, tree stability and stem straightness. Plant and Soil 217, 29–37 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004662127182
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004662127182