Comments on: permaculture notes: water, trees, soil

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:29:45 +0000

I’m in a year-long permaculture class in Bolinas, CA, and in the midst of preparing for a final group project. I landed on your site because of your mention of Redwood trees, but became mesmerized with your notes from Toby Heminway’s class (Gaia’s Garden is our text).

I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your notes, perspective, and energy. I don’t know if you still keep this up, but it sure hit me when I needed it. You’re so blessed to have studied with the people you did, and I am inspired for it. Thanks!

By: stacia fuchsia

stacia fuchsia — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:58:52 +0000

no, i’m pretty sure i understood correctly what was said. total length of root systems (especially including root hairs) would be way, way longer than 1/2 mile. he was definitely measuring just one root. i dunno! mysteries! maybe someday i will get a chance to ask him for clarification.

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:44:45 +0000

I think perhaps your notes on the root system were a little confused… Tree roots can add up to a ano enormous amount of total length, but not a single root. (Note, for example, that the human circulatory system has about 100,000 km of capillaries.)

I note that mesquite roots are the longest known at about 200 feet (http://www.desertusa.com/mag06/may/mesquite.html). However, another source says several kinds of desert trees reach this length. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root

The University of Florida extension says that tree roots extend far past the drip line: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wo017