E.F. Gilman and M.E. Kane

1991

Growth dynamics following planting of cultivars of Juniperus chinensis
J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116 (4): 637-641
 
Shoot and root growth were measured on Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis L. 'Torulosa', 'Sylvestris', Pfitzeriana', and 'Hetzii') 1, 2, and 3 years after planting from 11-liter black plastic containers. Mean diameter of the root system expanded quadratically, whereas mean branch spread increased linearly. Three years after planting, root spread was 2.75 times branch spread, and roots covered an area 5.5 times that covered by the branches. Percentage of total root length located within the dripline of the plants remained fairly constant for each cultivar during the 3 years following planting. Root length density increased over time but decreased with distance from the trunk. During the first 2 years after planting, shoot mass increased faster than root mass. In the 3rrd year, the root system increased in mass at a faster rate than the shoots. Root length was correlated with root weight. Root spread and root area were correlated with trunk cross-sectional area, branch spread, and crown area.
 
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