telling in height and beauty , beech trees ( Fagus spp . ) grace timber , become spectacular shade trees for large lawns and even make tall hedge . As with all tree , protect the antecedent from harm as well as providing a soil surroundings contributing for healthy root outgrowth extends vigor and life . Grow beech trees in moist , well - draining dirt rich in constitutive matter . All species tend to spring up well in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8 .

Root Zone

Purdue University points out what most people bomb to realize : that most tree diagram rise many of their rootage in the top 4 to 8 inches of soil , where warmth , moisture and nutrients abound . Moreover , the tooth root geographical zone continue well beyond the edges of the branches . As a general guidepost , the ascendent zona covers a aloofness two to four time beyond the distance of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s canopy .

Depth

While the majority of rootage grow in the top 2 feet of the grease , the deepest structural and anchoring ones do not come home deeper than 3 to 7 feet , consort to Colorado State University expert . Root functions admit anchorage ground , urine and mineral conduction , and nutrient and piddle store . Feeder roots , about 1/16 in in diameter , constitute the major portion of the root system ’s open area . These smaller root mature outwards and predominantly upward from the large solution near the soil surface . The major map of feeder antecedent is the absorption of body of water and minerals . Under normal condition , feeder source die and are supercede on a regular ground .

Concerns

One of the biggest killers of urban trees is soil crush . Soil compaction restricts H2O and oxygen consumption by root and is affiliate with road , parking set , foot traffic , construction equipment and stock . change in soil depth around beeches also cause accidental injury to root system . The accession of only 4 to 6 inch of ground over a root zona drastically reduces the amount of oxygen and urine available to the roots . Excessively dry stain also get abortion of affluent roots . Any stress on the beech tree increases susceptibleness to insect blighter or fungal disease that further weaken and imperil it .

Case Study

In the 1990s , the telling beech tree allees at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park , the former Gold Coast - era demesne of William Robertson Coe , began lose vigor . Assistant Director Vincent Simeone noted stresses on the fledged Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree from a combination of preceding drouth and rider - car land compaction . The vigor of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree better after scheduled applications of constitutional mulch and limited soil ploughland . This was meant to further new surface roots where filth were compacted and where both vehicular dealings over radical zones and excessive walker traffic occurred . While better tree growth follow these treatments and insurance policy , the old beech tree specimens still declined from disease . This provide insight into the grandness of decrease stress on beech to maintain vigor and to protect the root zone .

Recommendations

Keep the large ascendant geographical zone of all beech trees protect with a ample and nutritious layer of organic mulch , 3 to 5 column inch mysterious . This keeps summer soil temperatures cool , continue grime wet and assist harbor the soil from compaction from foot traffic as well as low-cal upkeep equipment . Extending the mulch layer well beyond the drip personal credit line , the farthest reaches of the branches , protect the young , more tender root word tips growing into new soil reaches . Keep mature beech trees well watered in time of prolonged drought , and avoid place threatening objects or guide land - move project in close proximity to worthy beech tree diagram .

References

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