The Structure of a Red Maple Tree Root

The red maple tree has beautiful leaves.

Also known by the common names of scarlet maple, swamp maple, soft maple, Carolina red maple or Drummond red maple, the red maple tree grows prolifically both near and away from water.

Seedling

Upon germination, the tender, early roots of a young, red maple tree possess exceptional adaptability to their surroundings. "Roots of maple seedlings are capable of developing differently in response to various environments, so that the seedlings can survive in situations ranging from swamp to dry upland," says the United States Forest Service.

Taproot

The seedling's taproot, initially measuring between 1 and 2 inches in length, snakes horizontally through the soil within approximately 10 inches of the surface. Woody roots then deploy their tentacles horizontally from the taproot, while nonwoody feeder roots extend upward, moving to within 3 inches of the ground's surface before halting.

Considerations

The horizontal woody roots act as the anchor roots that serve to keep the red maple tree firmly entrenched in the ground, regardless of wind or other forces that may seek to remove it. These woody roots will continue to develop in a horizontal manner, often growing to as long as 80 feet.

References

• United States Forest Service: Red Maple
• Virginia Tech University: Red Maple