Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Lowering the soil grade around a tree removes many of the tree's ____________ roots.

1. Aquatic

2. Feeder

3. Aerial

4. Tap

The correct answer is: Feeder

Lowering the soil grade around a tree primarily affects the feeder roots. These roots are typically found in the upper layers of soil and are responsible for the absorption of water and nutrients. They spread out from the base of the tree and are crucial for the tree's health, particularly during its early years. When the soil grade is lowered, these critical roots can be directly removed or buried too deep, limiting the tree's access to essential resources. This can lead to stress, poor growth, or even death of the tree, as it relies heavily on these feeder roots for survival. While aquatic roots would relate to plants that thrive submerged in water, aerial roots pertain to roots that grow above the ground for support and nutrient uptake in certain environments, and tap roots describe a central root growing downward which primarily serves to anchor the plant. None of these root types are as directly impacted by changes in soil grade surrounding the tree as the feeder roots are. Thus, feeder roots are the most appropriate choice for this situation, emphasizing their importance in the tree's overall health and stability.