Holly grown in different propagation containers

Finished dahoon holly liners in Elle pots made of thin paper.

Peeling off the paper of an Elle pot.

Root system from Elle pot had few roots deflecting down and around the pot. Note some roots growing from the stem were right at the surface.

No roots circled the trunk. Most were oriented radially away from the trunk. Roots on trees in these pots were borne right at the surface. Roots on trees in the other pots were not produced at the surface; they were about 2 cm deeper. In other words there were few growing from the top 2-3 cm of the stem.

Roots grew up, down and around the black plastic container periphery.

Roots grew around the trunk at the edge of the container.

Many roots grew up the sides of the plastic container toward the soil surface.

Many roots grew up the sides of the plastic container toward the surface. Roots growing up often turn and grow around the periphery of the container and can become stem girdling roots.

Many roots grew around the trunk at the periphery of the container. These can become stem girdling roots later unless removed when trees are shifted to larger containers.

Many roots grew up at the top of the container and down in the middle and bottom of the container.

Roots growing up can become stem girdling roots later. These should be removed when trees are shifted to larger containers or planted into field soil.

Roots hit the side of the container shown at left and were directed down. Some roots grew around, but most grow down when they meet the sides of the container.

A large root is growing around the top of the container.

Some roots grew up toward the surface.