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Various trees and shrubs are only shallowly rooted in the ground. Others are deep-rooted. They are called taproots. These have a long taproot that extends deep into the ground. Below are a few examples.

In a nutshell

  • a taproot is a long main root
  • it grows vertically deep into the ground
  • Taproots are well anchored in the ground
  • easily adapt to unfavorable conditions
  • Lilac, pine and silver fir are deep-rooted

Typical for taproots

Taprooters belong to the group of deep-rooters. A long and strong main root is characteristic of this root system. This has developed from the radicle (radicula) and grows vertically deep into the ground. Diverse side roots arise from the taproot diagonally or sometimes horizontally. It is a heterogeneous root system. Plants with such a root system can easily adapt to extremely unfavorable locations. The most common natural distribution areas of such taproots are therefore mostly in summer-dry regions. They make no special demands on the soil. They grow on sandy, loose or gravelly substrates. It is precisely here that they need firm anchoring so that they do not tip over in stormy times.

Notice: Many heart roots also develop a taproot at a young age. With increasing age, many strong side shoots are formed as with the real walnut (Juglans regia).

Types from A - D

American Yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea)

Source: Stanzilla, Palace Garden Orangery, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Habit: multi-stem trees, short trunk, broad, rounded crown
  • Growth height: 600 to 1000 cm
  • Flowers: May to June, white, fragrant
  • Fruits: September, light brown pods, 8 cm long
  • Location: full sun
  • Soil: fresh, deep, rich in nutrients
  • Special feature: yellow smooth wood, bee-friendly

Wych elm (Ulmus glabra)

  • Growth: deciduous tree, dense, spreading
  • Growth height: 2500 to 3500 cm
  • Flowers: March to April, brown-violet
  • Fruits: from May, winged green nutlets
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: permeable, nutrient-rich, calcareous

Common broom (Cytisus scoparius)

  • Habit: upright shrub, wide, later overhanging branches
  • Growth height: 150 to 200 cm
  • Flowers: May to June, yellow and red hues
  • Fruits: from August/September, legumes with seeds
  • Location: sun
  • Soil: sandy to normal garden soil
  • Special feature: friendly to insects, also suitable as a container plant

Pear, Common (Pyrus communis)

Source: Joris Egger, Trübler Baum, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Habit: Trees, sparsely branched, domed crown
  • Growth height: 500 to 1500 cm
  • Flowers: April to May, white
  • Fruits: September to October, pear-shaped
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: deep, rich in nutrients

Notice: If the drought lasts longer, watering is necessary. The trees require regular pruning.

Bluebell tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
emperor tree

Paulownia tomentosa, bluebell tree
  • Habit: deciduous tree, rigid shoots, loose, wide crown
  • Growth height: 800 to 1500 cm
  • Flowers: April to May, violet-blue, fragrant
  • Fruits: from September, fruit capsules with seeds, grey-brown
  • Location: sun
  • Soil: moderately dry to fresh, well-drained, gritty - sandy, slightly acidic to very alkaline

Types of E - F

Hawthorn Paul's Scarlet (Crataegus laevigata Paul's Scarlet)

  • Habit: Large shrub or small trees, broadly conical, thorny shoots
  • Growth height: 400 to 600 cm
  • Flowers: May to June, dark red, filled
  • Fruits: from September, rare, brick-red chokeberries
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: rich in nutrients, moderately dry to moist, loamy-clayey

Yew (Taxus baccata)

Taxus baccata, Yew
  • Growth: upright bush, densely branched, evergreen
  • Growth height: 200 to 1000 cm
  • Flowers: May to April, males as spherical catkins, females inconspicuous
  • Fruits: September to October, small red berries
  • Location: sun to shade
  • Soil: tolerant of lime, moist, no waterlogging
  • Special feature: all parts of the plant are highly toxic

Single Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

  • Habit: Large shrub or small tree, dense, shoots have thorns
  • Growth height: 200 to 500 cm
  • Flowers: May to June, white, fragrant
  • Fruits: September, scarlet apple fruits, edible, sour-sweet taste
  • Location: sun to shade
  • Soil: calcareous, nutrient-rich
  • Special feature: good food and protection for birds

Serviceberry (Sorbus torminalis)

Source: AnRo0002, 20220421Sorbus torminalis1, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Growth: upright tree, dense crown
  • Growth height: 800 to 1500 cm
  • Flowers: May to June, white, fragrant
  • Fruits: from October, small apple fruits, brown, sour taste
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: permeable, nutrient-rich, calcareous, dry to fresh
  • Special feature: good food for birds

Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
Sweet chestnut, chestnut

  • Growth: deciduous trees, strong, dense
  • Growth height: 1500 to 2000 cm
  • Flowers: June to July, greenish white
  • Fruits: Harvest September to October, nuts 2 to 3 cm in size, mildly aromatic taste
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: sandy-loamy, slightly acidic, fresh, rich in nutrients
  • Special feature: fruits can be stored until March, bee-friendly wood

Types of G - J

Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

  • Growth: large shrub or small tree, upright, densely branched
  • Growth height: 250 to 700 cm
  • Flowers: April to June, blue-violet, strongly scented
  • Fruits: September to October, brown fruit capsules with seeds
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: dry, fresh, well drained, rich in nutrients, sandy-humic
  • Special feature: runner-forming, proliferating

Common juniper (Juniperus communis)

  • Habit: Tree or shrub, branched trunk, evergreen
  • Growth height: 100 to 800 cm
  • Flowers: April to June, ovate, male yellowish, female inconspicuous greenish
  • Fruits: August to October, spherical bluish berry cones
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: well drained, dry, poor in nutrients, slightly alkaline to slightly acidic
  • Special feature: toxic to humans

Common Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum)

  • Habit: shrub, rarely trees, funnel-shaped
  • Growth height: 200 to 600 cm
  • Flowers: April to May, purple-pink, fragrant
  • Fruits: from September, brown legumes, slightly poisonous
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: calcareous, not too nutritious, loose

Dog Rose (Rosa canina)

  • Growth: upright shrub, hanging branches
  • Growth height: 200 to 300 cm
  • Flowers: June to July, white-pink, slightly fragrant
  • Fruits: from September, light to scarlet rose hips
  • Location: sun to shade
  • Soil: deep, rich in nutrients
  • Special feature: rose hips with a high vitamin C content

Japanese carnation (Prunus serrulata)

Source: Björn S… , Japanese Cherry - Prunus serrulata (41663811531), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Habit: Tree or shrub, funnel-shaped crown
  • Growth height: 500 to 1000 cm
  • Flowers: April to May, pink, double
  • Fruits: from July, oval to round, purple to black, edible
  • Location: sun
  • Soil: deep, loose, sandy-loamy, slightly calcareous

Kinds of K - Z

pine (pinus)

Pinus sylvestris, Scots pine
  • Habit: Conifers, evergreen, loose branches, umbrella-shaped to conical crown
  • Growth height: 1500 to 4000 cm
  • Flowers: May to June, female reddish at the end of short shoots, male red to reddish brown
  • Fruits: September to October, ovoid cones, stalked
  • Location: full sun
  • Soil: sandy-loamy, very acidic to alkaline
  • Special feature: very adaptable to all locations

Quince (Cydonia oblonga)

Quince, Cydonia oblonga
  • Growth: smaller trees, also shrubs, sparsely branched
  • Growth height: 200 to 400 cm
  • Flowers: April to June, simply white
  • Fruits: Harvest in October, yellow, like apples, sweet and aromatic taste
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: well-drained, normal garden soil

Notice: Quince trees are quite slow-growing and therefore require little care.

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

  • Habit: Large shrub, sparsely branched, thorny shoots
  • Growth height: 200 to 500 cm
  • Flowers: April to May, brown
  • Fruits: August to September, orange, ovoid to cylindrical, sour taste
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: sandy, loose, permeable
  • Special feature: Fruits with a high vitamin C content, trees that protect against birds

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)
German oak

Quercus robur, English oak
  • Growth: tree, round crown, short trunk
  • Growth height: 2500 to 3500 cm
  • Flowers: May, greenish
  • Fruits: from September, stalked acorns, 2 to 3.5 cm long
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: rich in nutrients, loamy, deep, calcareous, moderately acidic

silver fir (Abies alba)

  • Growth: conifer, evergreen, upright
  • Growth height: 1000 to 5000 cm
  • Flowers: April to June, yellow catkins
  • Fruits: September to October, cones erect on branches, 14 cm long
  • Location: sun to semi-shade
  • Soil: moist, humic, acidic to alkaline
  • Special feature: good bird protection and edible wood

frequently asked Questions

What advantages do taproots have over shallow roots?

Since they are deep-rooted, they have a higher stability. The roots do not spread too much and cannot damage buildings or terraces. Since they draw water from deeper regions of the earth, they can easily be planted under. They also contribute to soil improvement.

Is it possible to simply transplant taproots?

Problems can arise with older trees, because the roots must not be damaged. Since it goes deep into the ground, excavation is very difficult. Therefore, trees and shrubs that are deep-rooted should only be transplanted when they are young. They should not be older than three years. Otherwise it can happen that older trees do not grow back.

What should be considered when planting taproots?

Since these plants are deep-rooted, the choice of location must be made carefully. Subsequent transplanting is not recommended. It is important that such plants are not planted directly over underground pipes or cables. Over time they would destroy them. Of course, depending on the size, a certain distance to the neighboring property etc. must be maintained.

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Garden plants