Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: MeganM on 03/02/2020 08:53:32

Title: Why don't trees leave a big hole in the ground when they grow?
Post by: MeganM on 03/02/2020 08:53:32

Marc has asked:

Trees are big - why don't they leave an enormous hole in the ground when they grow? They have to be consuming something to grow so large!

What do you think?

Title: Re: Why don't trees leave a big hole in the ground when they grow?
Post by: chiralSPO on 03/02/2020 15:32:44

Most of what they are consuming comes from the air! (not counting water)

Trees only get trace minerals from the soil, and most of the mass of a tree comes from water and carbon dioxide.

Title: Re: Why don't trees leave a big hole in the ground when they grow?
Post by: Bored chemist on 03/02/2020 19:19:26

The hole a tree would leave is roughly big enough to bury that ash (not charcoal) that would be left if you burned it.
The volume of the roots will generally be bigger than that.

Title: Re: Why don't trees leave a big hole in the ground when they grow?
Post by: Monox D. I-Fly on 04/02/2020 02:16:31

Isn't the volume of the supposed "hole" already filled in by the roots?