Do Dwarf Weeping Cherry Trees Have Shallow Roots?

Tree Roots

• Many trees never develop taproots, which are long, deep roots that grow directly beneath the trunk of the tree. This is especially true in urban areas. If the water table is relatively close to the soil's surface, the roots don't need to grow vertically to find water. In most cases, trees will develop roots that spread horizontally in search of water. Two exceptions to this are oak and pine trees, which sometimes develop tap roots in sandy, well-draining soil, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension.

Dwarf Weeping Cherries

• Some trees have aggressive roots. They spread horizontally and crack sidewalks, foundations and underground pipes. Fortunately, weeping cherries like "Snow Fountains" do not have aggressive roots, according to the National Gardening Association. Still, the roots will spread far beyond the tree's canopy in search of moisture. Give your dwarf weeping cherry plenty of room to spread out by making sure it is at least 6 feet -- 8 feet is even better -- from your home's foundation.

Root Care

• Most trees develop roots that do not venture deeper than 3 feet below the soil. However, from those roots grow smaller roots that are even shallower and sometimes spread along the surface of the soil. Lawn mowers, other garden tools or even the roots of shrubs and other plants can damage those smaller roots, causing the tree to wilt. Sometimes, if just one side of the roots are damaged, the corresponding side of the tree will wilt. For this reason, care should be taken when using gardening tools around dwarf weeping cherry and other trees.

Other Culture

• Weeping cherries are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. They grows to a maximum height of around 15 feet, with a maximum spread of about 8 feet, and are often sold as grafted trees that will top out at about 6 feet. The dwarf weeping cherry can suffer from diseases caused by wet conditions, so a location that is exposed to full sun and allows for air circulation is best. It grows best in soil that has medium moisture but is well draining.