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Lateral roots develop and become as aggressive as the tap root
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.
