University of Florida

Home > Root growth > Roots in nature vs. nursery > Root growth in nature > Lateral roots developing

Lateral roots develop and become as aggressive as the tap root

back buttonnext button

lateral root examples

These three trees show the transition from a tap rooted root system on a young tree (left) to a more surface root system dominated by lateral roots on the older tree (right). Lateral roots are growing from the tap root. Lateral roots on the older tree on the right are now about as large in diameter as the tap root. Lateral roots appear to grow in response to the tap root reaching an area deeper in the soil that is not as well suited for growth.