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Whole-tree harvesting of pines with taproot attached

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The taproot of a 15- to 3O-yearold slash pine, with lateral roots pruned away, weighs about 20% as much as the bark-free merchantable stem to a four-inch top (dry-weight basis). Maximum taproot diameter, a few inches below ground level, is 1.5 to two times stem diameter at breast height. Length in sandy loam soils is commonly three to five feet.

Citation

Koch, P. 1974. Whole-tree harvesting of pines with taproot attached. Southern Lumberman 228(2825):13-14
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/8132