Evaluation of the above-ground and root growth of deciduous trees when different root-wrapping materials are used

This paper reports the results of a study of the effect of using different root-wrapping materials, or using none, on the above-ground and root growth of two types of deciduous trees (Magnolia kobus and Quercus acutissima). The study also monitored the soil temperature and soil water, which cause root-wrapping materials to biodegrade: during the test period, differences between the trees-in terms of soil temperature and the amount of soil water-were small. Results for both types of trees, 28 months after transplanting, showed that using different root-wrapping materials-or not using root wrapping-had no effect on the growth of transplanted trees. We found that the reason was that (after 28 months) between 69% and 88% by weight of the root-wrapping materials had biodegraded, so the conditions for trees with root wrapping were virtually the same as for those without. This indicates that root-wrapping does not interfere with the root development and growth of transplanted trees.