The roots hold up the tree, collect water and minerals, and store energy. There is a finely tuned balance between the leaves and roots. Tree activity varies according to the season. During winter dormancy, energy storage is high. Spring leaf expansion is the season with the lowest stored energy.
Summer is energy storage time.
In the fall, roots grow and the tree prepares for dormancy. When the system works properly, the tree collects more energy than it uses to survive to grow, defend itself, set seed, etc. There are many ways to disrupt this system, as we see as we look at the next myths. Myth 2 Depth of root growth equals the height of the tree s crown. Very few species of trees have deep taproot systems.