Blue Rock Cafe
Date: 02:52:13 on Monday, May 18, 2009
Name: Orkie
Subject: That's partly true.
If the wind is strong enough, then even trees will come down. Tornadoes have literally lifted them right up out of the ground.
Most of the roots are still in the ground, though. What you were seeing is where the roots themselves had torn off below the surface. Tree roots can spread out in the ground farther than the limbs above ground. Most of them are very well anchored in the ground, so they just break off as the tree is being blown down.
Remember, the general rule of thumb for any plant is, the roots will spread out at least as far as the limbs spread out. More often than not, the roots spread out a lot farther. At least they did with any plant (tree) I ever tried to get rid of.
Ever pull a carrot out of the ground? The tap root (the part we eat) is every bit as big as the plant above ground. Plants are very well anchored, but as you said, strong enough winds can snap a lot of the very roots that are anchoring them to the ground.
Anyway, the roots will keep those tomato plants from falling out of the bottom of the containers the roots are anchored in. I just find it amazing that some plants will grow upside down. Most try to reach for the sky while seeking out the sun. Bet if you planted a tree upside down it wouldn't stay that way for long. It would bend around the container and start growing upwards.
Reply to this message * Back to the BRC!
Reply to message
BRC HTML Posting Guide
All material submitted is the sole responsibility of the submitter.
Copyright © 1999-2008 DotComJunkies
Uncle Bill 02:03:44 05/18/2009