Maximum Rooting Depth of Pinus thunbergii Parl. Estimated with Depth at the Center Point of Rotation in a Tree-Pulling Experiment in a Coastal Forest in Japan

Abstract

Tree resistance to uprooting can be estimated as the critical turning moment in tree-pulling experiments. The depth at the center point of rotation (Dcp) in tree-pulling experiments is measured as an indicator of below-ground traits and is related to this critical turning moment. However, few researchers have investigated the relationship between the Dcp and maximum root depth. Our objective in this study was to clarify whether the Dcp in tree-pulling experiments can be estimated as the maximum root depth of Pinus thunbergii Parl. in sandy soils. We also estimated which position of displacement of the center of rotation (Cp) can be applied as the Dcp. We conducted tree-pulling experiments, and compared the Dcp obtained from images with the measured maximum root depth. We found significant positive correlations between the Dcp and maximum root depth. The Cp displacement concentrated immediately below the stem when the maximum critical turning moment was reached. This position should be measured as the Dcp, which is related to the maximum root depth. We found that the Dcp can serve as a parameter, preventing the need for uprooting, when tree-pulling experiments are performed to obtain an important below-ground trait for understanding the critical turning moment.