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Cordyline roots

hatty_hatty_ Posts: 99
in Problem solving
Hi all! Does anyone know how Cordyline roots grow?

In light of recent storms I have been a bit worried about my Cordyline. It has grown taller than expected and it is close to the house. 

Do the roots go right down? Or are they shallow? Is it a fall risk?

thank you!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Looks much better than most of the ones I see round here! That's the sort of size they make - or bigger. 
    I wouldn't worry about the root system - they're big and fibrous, which is why they're good coastal plants. If it hasn't moved in recent weather, there's not likely to be a problem. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    A lot of cordylines were lost in the winter of 2010 due to the exceptionally cold weather, including mine. When it came to getting the remains out it was a fairly easy job, the root system was shallow (but not so much that it would have caused concern in high winds etc). 
    The one in your photo looks nice and healthy, personally l wouldn't be concerned about it being at risk of falling. If it did, l can't see it causing as much damage as say, a tree.  :)
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I wouldn't worry about it falling over either. I've just looked it up as my neighbour wants to move there's and I know that after a certain size they don't transplant well and apparently this is to do with the root system. They have fibrous surface roots which don't go far but the main issue (for moving them) is they have a deeper tap like root which is very thick and anchors them well in place. 
    In one example I saw the cordyline was 7 feet high but the tap root nearly three feet deep.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - once they get well established, the tap root is what really anchors them to the spot @thevictorian.
    It's why they're so popular in coastal areas - especially where it's drier and sunnier. They're very useful for that type of environment. They aren't called Torbay palms for nothing  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited February 2022
    I think then l may have been lucky, or maybe distance lends enchantment. More than likely l got so much of the tap root out and then thought "s*d it" and just filled in over the top 😳.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I just dug my neighbours up as we decided it was planted in the worst position (between the sewage pipe and her sink by a well meaning son) possible. It was about 8ft tall and a single trunk that been there about 4 years.
    Let's just say I'm absolutely knackered and I think I saw an Australian at the bottom of the hole. Tap root doesn't really describe it, it was more like a tap trunk. The root was thicker than the trunk and I gave up after a few feet down, when it didn't look to be getting any thinner. I would now suggest that a healthy one could probably take any wind you could throw at it. I certainly wouldn't worry in the slightest now and can see why you can't transplant them very easily.
  • hatty_hatty_ Posts: 99
    @thevictorian 😂 sorry to hear of your troubles in getting the root out!! That’s definitely reassured me. 

    Thanks all for your helpful advice. Feeling more confident now! 
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