Marula root problems in containers?

[djseaquist]

I didn't really know about fruit trees with very extensive/aggressive root system until recently. I mentioned this because I read Marulas (Sclerocarya birrea ssp. caffra) have long taproots and I would have put my seedlings in deepots to begin with.

Today I finally got around to transplanting my Marulas from 1 to 5 gallon containers. I noticed there were multiple zigzagging "taproots" per plant. Should I be concerned about the long-term health of my Marulas?

[Daintree]

Mine are quite large, 10 ft tall, and they are in 15-20 gallon pots. The roots just circle around. They seem to be fine, so I wouldn't worry...

[elouicious]

I think the general thinking/concern here is that the roots can choke themselves off (and kill the tree) through growing in these non-standard shapes- the main concern would be if the tree is going to choke itself off before it produces much (or any) fruit. If you really love trees like this I would suggest doing spaced out plantings in pots (every 3-5 years) to ensure you do not have to be without a producing tree for the full juvenile period of a new tree. (They WILL die eventually, but could be like 30 years)

There is some debate (at least with Mangoes) if root structure impacts fruit quality- I don't think there is a consensus in mangoes, and if not there then certainly not in other species