Abstract

Root pruning field-grown trees during production can increase harvested root length, but it is a time consuming and expensive practice. Root pruning before lining out instead of during production is much faster and cheaper. This study tested the effect of root pruning red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum (L.f.) Medic.) trees. Bare-root liners were root pruned before planting in nursery rows, and top growth, shoot: root ratios, and harvested root length within rootballs were measured after two years of field growth. Pruning root systems back 25%, 50%, or 75% had little effect on top growth or shoot:root ratios for either species.