Editing Root (section)

==Depths==
[[File:Exposed mango tree roots.jpg|thumb|Cross section of a [[mango]] tree]]
The distribution of vascular plant roots within soil depends on plant form, the spatial and temporal availability of water and nutrients, and the physical properties of the soil. The deepest roots are generally found in deserts and temperate coniferous forests; the shallowest in tundra, boreal forest and temperate grasslands. The deepest observed living root, at least {{Convert|60|m}} below the ground surface, was observed during the excavation of an open-pit mine in Arizona, US. Some roots can grow as deep as the tree is high. The majority of roots on most plants are however found relatively close to the surface where nutrient availability and aeration are more favourable for growth. Rooting depth may be physically restricted by rock or compacted soil close below the surface, or by anaerobic soil conditions.

===Records===
[[File:Tree roots2.jpg|thumb|[[Ficus]] tree with [[buttress root]]s]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Species
! Location
! Maximum rooting depth (m)
! References<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Canadell J, Jackson RB, Ehleringer JB, Mooney HA, Sala OE, Schulze ED | title = Maximum rooting depth of vegetation types at the global scale | journal = Oecologia | volume = 108 | issue = 4 | pages = 583–595 | date = December 1996 | pmid = 28307789 | doi = 10.1007/BF00329030 | bibcode = 1996Oecol.108..583C }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stonea EL, Kaliszb PJ |date=1 December 1991 |title=On the maximum extent of tree roots |journal=Forest Ecology and Management |volume=46 |issue=1–2 |pages=59–102 |doi=10.1016/0378-1127(91)90245-Q|bibcode=1991ForEM..46...59S }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Boscia albitrunca]]''
| Kalahari desert
| 68
| Jennings (1974)
|-
| ''[[Juniperus monosperma]]''
| Colorado Plateau
| 61
| Cannon (1960)
|-
| ''[[Eucalyptus]]'' sp.
| Australian forest
| 61
| Jennings (1971)
|-
| ''[[Acacia erioloba]]''
| Kalahari desert
| 60
| Jennings (1974)
|-
| ''[[Prosopis juliflora]]''
| Arizona desert
| 53.3
| Phillips (1963)
|}