Studies show that trees grown in highly compacted soil have less root volume and weight because roots cannot penetrate compacted soil. And this translates into reduced shoot height and overall growth. Compacted soil in the city means roots cannot grow, water cannot permeate into the soil, and nutrient uptake is reduced, resulting in poor tree growth. Of course, the ultimate effect is poor tree health and death. Meristems are areas within the tree where growth occurs.
Most trees grow in shoot length and diameter and root length and diameter.
Palms, however, have only one growing tip and do not grow in diameter. A tree's form is controlled by branch orientation and by the amount of apical dominance. Altering the environment or management practices to decrease stress, and selecting the right tree for the right place will promote growth and longevity. Remember a tree only grows in height at apical meristems at the tips of branches. At the height of the bird-house only trunk diameter growth is occurring.