The Roots of Plantation Cottonwood: Their Characteristics and Properties

John K. Francis

doi:10.2737/SO-RN-314

Treesearch

The Roots of Plantation Cottonwood: Their Characteristics and Properties

Informally Refereed

Authors:

John K. Francis

Year:

1985

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/SO-RN-314

Source:

Res. Note SO-314. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.

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Download (PDF 85 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/1729.pdf

Abstract

The root biomass and its distribution and the growth rate of roots of pulpwood-size cottonwood (Popolus deltoides) in plantations were estimated by excavation and sampling. About 27 percent of the total biomass was in root tissue. Equations for predicting stump-taproot dry weight from d.b.h. and top dry weight were derived. Lateral roots in two plantations increased in length until dieback, and regrowth produced a lateral root of semistable average length to a little more than half the distance between trees.

Keywords

Populus deltoides, root competition, root biomass

Citation

Francis, John K. 1985. The Roots of Plantation Cottonwood: Their Characteristics and Properties. Res. Note SO-314. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.