Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Introduction. Knowledge on the volume and architecture of tree root systems is important for many fields of forestry practice, e.g. the process of soil preparation for planting, determining the stability of trees before planned surgical procedures, at the stage of designing logging routes, assessing the impact of growing tree roots on the existing infrastructure, including roads, or even in the process of estimating CO2 absorption, which is currently important in view of climatic fluctuations. The GPR method of examining root systems is non-invasive and facilitates quick measurements, which is a huge advantage compared to traditional opencast works, which are labor-intensive and destructive.

Aim and materials. Using the MALA Ground Explorer (GX) HDR GPR system with a 750 MHz antenna and the 3D Vision software, the root systems of Scots pine and yellow pine were examined. The tests were carried out on two test sites differing in the profiling grid density. As a result, the two color spatial models of root distribution and extent were obtained, which were then analyzed on 2D images created by making horizontal cuts at different depths (slices). The tests were performed on the tree root systems of Pinus sylvestris L. and Pinus ponderosa.

Conclusions. The test showed the possibility of observing how the root systems are developed at different depths: the maximum penetration depth of the tested root systems and their lateral range. Qualitative and also quantitative to some extent information may be obtained from the 3D models (horizontal slices). Finally, differences in model accuracy were demonstrated, which was related to the density of data acquisition grids. The root system depth of Pinus ponderosa was 0.95 m, while that of Pinus sylvestris was 0.8 m. The root system of the Pinus ponderosa tree developed farthest to the east to approx. 1.9 m (measured from the trunk axis), to the west to a distance of approx. 1.35 m, to the north – 1.2 m and to the south up to 1.6 m. For the Pinus sylvestris tree the maximum root ranges were approx. 1.75 m to the east and 2.7 m to the west, max. 1.9 m to the north, and about 1.35 m to the south.