Linden root system: structure and care tips

Deciduous trees decorate not only parks and squares, but also summer cottages. In addition to birch and poplar, they are chosen for planting. linden, an unpretentious tree with a thick silky crown. The flowers and buds of the tree are beneficial to human health, and it is difficult to imagine a Russian bath without linden brooms.

The deciduous linden tree belongs to the Malvov family. Various species of it grow throughout the territory of Russia, except for the regions of the Far North. The lifespan of the plant is surprising, some specimens live up to 1000 years. Thanks to its strong root system, the tree is distinguished by such vitality.

Content:

• Features of the structure of the root system of linden
• Recommendations for caring for the root system of a tree
• Terms and rules for planting a linden seedling
• What can damage the root system?

Features of the structure of the root system of linden

The prevalence of linden in forests speaks of the unpretentiousness of the plant in relation to the structure of the soil. Although it is known that the tree grows best in humus-rich lands.

The root system of linden is inherent in development. Depending on the composition of the soil, the woody plant has a horizontal root structure or a taproot with branching.

The superficial placement of the linden root system indicates its shallow penetration into the ground. All roots are located at a depth of 40 centimeters. In trees of medium height or lagging behind in development, taproots go to a depth of 70-80 centimeters. Linden roots grow within 20 centimeters annually.

The development of a tree depends on the power of the root system, its branching, and compactness.

In the first seven years of life, a deciduous tree forms a taproot, from which lateral and surface underground shoots then diverge. In volume, the linden root system reaches more than 2 cubic meters. Over the years, a fungus forms on the roots of linden - mycorrhiza. This union of plant roots and fungi supplies the tree with nutrients - phosphorus, potassium, and regulates nitrogen metabolism. Mycorrhiza helps to supply nutrients to the root system of the tree, increases the active surface of the roots.

Recommendations for caring for the root system of a tree

Linden prefers moist, humus-rich soils, so it grows worse on poor, sandy soils. And the root system is less ramified. In order for a tree to please with the beauty of the crown, flowering is necessary:

1. Water regularly, controlling the moisture content of the soil.
2. Feed twice a year. Linden is needed in the spring organic fertilizers as mulleindiluted 1:10. Add 25 grams of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water to the solution. In October, for feeding they use nitroammophos... Twenty grams of fertilizer should be diluted in a bucket of water and water the tree.
3. Weed to remove weeds.
4. Loosen the soil to make the soil permeable to air and water.
5. To protect the roots from frost, mulch the trunk circle with a layer sawdust, peat or straw. A layer thickness of 10 centimeters will be enough.

Caring for the root system of the linden tree will accelerate growth, turn it into a slender beauty with a spreading crown.

Terms and rules for planting a linden seedling

For planting linden, seedlings are purchased.Those specimens that were grown in a container will take root better. They have powerful shoots, a crown with green leaves. It is convenient to move a seedling with a closed root system to open ground. It will not damage the root, and it will take root better. For linden, a site with a high content of humus, deep groundwater is chosen. When planting, it is worth considering that linden will enter full development in 20 years, and bloom more abundantly in sunny areas.

The landing pit is prepared in advance, with a diameter and depth of 50 centimeters. Part of the pit is filled with a drainage layer: pebbles or gravel. Broken brick and expanded clay will do. Then the hole is filled with mature compost. Each seedling also needs superphosphate, which is taken 50 grams. Having placed a seedling in a hole, they are covered with soil. They make a mixture of two parts of humus and sand, one part - sod land.

When planting linden, the root collar is located at ground level or slightly lower.

To fix the tree, 2 pegs are driven in along the edges of the pit and tied to the trunk with loops. A seedling is planted either in the spring or in the fall. When planting, try not to damage the root system. Linden refers to trees that easily take root and grow successfully on any soil.

What can damage the root system?

The growth and development of linden depends on the state of the root system. Therefore, it is necessary to provide for those moments when the roots are damaged by diseases and pests, suffer from improper care:

• An excess of moisture in the soil and air leads to the formation of rot on the trunk and roots. White marble rot is the result of the action of the tinder fungus. A sick tree can be recognized by the curvature of the trunk, the appearance of cracks. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to feed the linden root system on time. If an infection appears, then the affected areas are treated with a mixture of chalk and potassium permanganate.
• Young trees often die after planting. This is due to the vigorous activity of fungi that infect the roots of seedlings. Before planting, it is necessary to disinfect the soil. And it is better to plant linden in the second decade of May, when the earth warms up well.
• The linden root system does not tolerate soil salinization when there is a lot of sodium on the site. To displace sodium, gypsum is used, which is applied in an amount of 5 kilograms per square meter.
• Without loosening, the linden root system weakens and the tree is exposed to fungal infections and pests. It becomes more difficult for the tree to fight the leafworms and caterpillars of the goldtail butterfly. To help the tree, it is necessary to burn plant residues after the leaves fall, and loosen the soil under the linden regularly.

Properly caring for a tree, you can accelerate its growth, strengthen root system.

More information can be found in the video: