The two main root shapes

The two main root shapes are tap root and a fibrous root. A tap root is a large main root covered with many root hairs. A tap root acts as an anchor while the root hairs absorb the nutrients. In a carrot or caraway there is only one taproot but in a tree or shrub the tap root is the largest of several main roots connected to the tree. A plant with a single tap root is the most difficult to transplant successfully.

Other plants, like shrubby thyme, have a mass of small roots of similar size – a fibrous root system. This type of plant is the easiest to transplant. If several fibrous rooted plants are grown together they help bind the soil and prevent erosion. They also help break up the soil with their growth pattern by creating a myriad of tiny tunnels for oxygen and drainage.