Root distribution of some native trees and understory plants growing on three sites within ponderosa pine watersheds in Colorado /

Abstract

Lateral extent and depth of root systems for 8 plant species on 3 different soils of the Colorado Front Range were examined on the Manitou Experimental Forest near Colorado Springs, Colo- rado. The trees studied were between 60 and 110 years in age, 19 and 38 feet in height, and 4 to 8. 5 inches in d.b.h. Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and mountain - mahogany roots reached maximum depths between 4 and 5. 6 feet, except where downward penetration was limited by bedrock. Moun- tain muhly, Arizona fescue, and kinnikinnick roots grew to depths of between 2 and 3. 4 feet. Quaking aspen roots had the greatest lateral extent, with some laterals growing 48 feet from the parent stump. Other tree species had laterals less than one-half this length.