RootMaker

RootMaker Products Co., LLC

1-800-824-3941 www.rootmaker.com
The Original Root-Pruning Container System.®
Built on continuous root pruning research since 1968.
 Benefits of RootMakers®:
Create a fibrous, non-circling root system. (without toxic chemicals)
Promote horizontal root branching.
Greater efficiency of water and nutrient absorption.
Accelerates plant growth, increases vigor.
Compliments a variety of production methods above ground,
in-ground, or -in-pot.
Wide range of sizes. (propagation to large containers)
Each fibrous root system compliments the next.
Creative solutions for water conservation, insulation, and blow-over.
Plants are equipped for rapid transplant success and long-term health.
Researched and patented.

RootMaker® has a wide range of products and sizes to fit

Make it happen. ®
your production needs. The critical start is with our propaga-
tion containers. Build upon that fibrous root system with each
transplant shift. Follow the “4-inch Rule” (allow about 4 inches
Nature didn’t consider transplanting... RootMakers® do.
of new sidewall distance between old rootball and the side of the
RootMakers® are designed to create fibrous, non-circling root new container) and continue root branching with the container
systems horizontally and vertically at all phases of production that best fits your production requirements. If field planting,
to equip plants for transplanting success. Our products aren’t the Knit Fabric In-Ground container ranges in size from 8” up
just “containers” but rather root production tools. Each step to 48”, or for Pot-in-Pot the soft-sided, white RootTrapper®
compliments the next, building upon the previous fibrous root container is custom made as the production insert. If continu-
system. A fibrous root system means a greater root tip surface ing the Whitcomb System® above ground, RootTrappers®
area and translates to a greater efficiency in the absorption of sizes 5 to 30 gallon, or the versatile RootBuilder®II expand-
water and nutrients; an increase in growth rate, establishment, able container, sizes 3 to 30 gallon can be used. Finish strong
and vigor; a higher transplant survivability; and ultimately, with larger RootBuilder®II up to 150 gallons or larger or
superior performance for your customers. RootTrapper® to 60 gallons. Each step stimulates root branch-
ing and compliments the next, creating a fibrous root system
vastly superior to conventional production methods.

The Whitcomb System® Background.

Dr. Carl E. Whitcomb received his
Ph.D. in horticulture, plant
ecology, and agronomy from
Iowa State University in 1969.
He was a professor at
Oklahoma State University
1972 - 1985,then began his
own horticultural research
company, Lacebark Inc. Root
constriction pruning grew from a chance
observation in 1967. He was the first to perform air-root-pruning
in 1968 using milk cartons with bottoms removed. This eventu-
ally lead to RootMaker®, RootBuilder®, RootTrapper®, and
Knit Fabric In-Ground Containers. Accomplishments include:
four books (Plant Production in Containers II, Production of
Landscape Plants II (in the field), Know It and Grow It III, and Es-
tablishment and Maintenance of Landscape Plants II), 26 patents
(container designs, Dynamite® crapemyrtle, etc.), papers pub-
Turn 1 root into 10. lished in several hundred journal and technical publications, and
Turn those 10 into 100... numerous nursery industry awards.

2
 How The Original Root-Pruning RootMakers® require a wire bench or other support 18 to 24”
Container System® works. above the floor to allow good air circulation and thus efficient
Before beginning nursery production, consider your seed source air-root-pruning on all sides of the container, not just the bottom.
and its adaptability to your geographic region. For example,
redbud seed from a parent tree along the Gulf Coast will produce
seedlings that will be injured or killed in Tennessee or Kentucky.
Conversely, redbud seed from Tennessee will produce seedlings
that will grow along the Gulf Coast but may flower poorly.

These southern red oak seedlings are 3 days old. Left, without benefits
of air-root-pruning. Right, air-root-pruned in RootMaker® II propa-
Crapemyrtle seedling
gation container. root system
This critical in RootMaker
air-root-pruning
®
60-cell growth
accelerates tray. and
increases efficiency. Continue to build this fibrous root system through
RootMaker® Propagation Containers all phases of production.
The first step toward creating a fibrous root system is
RootMaker® propagation containers. Besides the original
injection-molded 4-pack (Patent #4,753,037), there are the thermo- RootMaker® propagation containers can be filled with a mix of
formed RootMaker® II 18-, 32-, and 60-cell trays (USA Patent # peat and perlite 40/60 or peat, perlite, and vermiculite 40/40/20, or
5,557,886). The 18 and 32-cell are also available as pull apart trays. pine bark, peat, and perlite at 50/30/20 by volume. Add 1.0 pound
of Micromax® micronutrients, 3 pounds of dolomite, and 6 pounds
Choose a support flat with open mesh sides and bottom. Six of Osmocote® 18-6-12 (no substitutes) per cubic yard of mix.
4-pack RootMakers® fit a 12” X 18” flat (Ex: Sunnyside flats
from Dillen Industries). The 60-, 32-, and 18-cell RootMakers®
fit a standard 10” X 20” mesh bottom/ open-sided flat.

The RootMaker® Express™ 18 (25 cu. in.) is an injection-

molded new and improved single. Our new Shuttle™ tray
neatly holds 18 of the Express™ 18’s or the 18-cell pull apart
singles for sorting, grafting, and grading.
Londonplanetree root system from RootMaker® 60-cell.

3
RootMakers ® are designed to direct roots into open-
ings in the container. The first root to reach an opening is Root system out
of space
usually the tap root. Once the tap root reaches a bottom open-
ing, the tip dehydrates and stops growing. When this occurs, Prime transplant-
ing window
secondary roots form that are more horizontal in growth habit.
Good growing
These secondary roots soon reach side openings, dehydrate conditions,
the root tips, and create additional branching. Time
developing root
system

60-cell 32-cell 18-cell

6.0 cu.in/cell 11.0 cu.in/cell 25.0 cu.in/cell

RootMaker II Container Volume

Timing is also very important. Once a fibrous root system
has been created, it is time for the next step to a larger
container. If plants are left in RootMakers® too long the
benefits will begin to decrease and water management may
become more difficult, due to the unique, high concentration
of roots. Monitor your plants’ progress. The length of time
in RootMaker® propagation containers varies greatly but
is typically no more than 2 to 4 months.

Root system from 60-cell tray RootMaker®.

Catalpa showing root growth after 0,4,8, and 12 days out of

RootMaker® 18-cell.

RootMaker®18-cell showing washed tree root system (left).

Rennerwood RootBuilder® II technology is now available in a quart

Tennesse Colongy, TX
sized kit. Called simply, the RBQ™, this highly efficient
RootMaker® propagation trays in production. air-root pruning container creates a strong liner for grafting.

4
Seize every opportunity to continue root branching momen-
tum. Depending on your production requirements, there are
several options. A good rule of thumb is “the 4-inch Rule”
(visit www.rootmaker.com for full explanation of this phe-
nomenon). Similar to pruning shrubs, research has shown
that when a root is pruned, root branching occurs at the tip
to about four inches back. This is why RootMaker® propa-
gation containers are 4 inches deep. If plants are shifted to
a larger RootMaker® container with a sidewall difference
less than 4 inches, excellent branching will occur but this
fibrous root system will soon exhaust container volume and
Root systems created by RootMaker® 1-gallons (above) and
may require an additional shift. If plants are shifted to a 3-gallon with mix washed out of right example.
container that has a sidewall difference greater than 4 inches,
some root branching opportunities or sales could be missed.
A good mix for above-ground RootMakers® is ground pine
bark, peat, and sand 60/20/20 by volume. To this, add 1.5
pounds of Micromax® micronutrients and 14 pounds of 17-
7-12 Osmocote® per cubic yard. The quantity of dolomite
required for best growth depends on the minerals dissolved
in your irrigation water. Other recommendations are site
specific.

To illustrate the 4-inch Rule, this large rootball of a 3.5

inch diameter lacebark elm which had been growing in an
18” diameter RootBuilder® for 1.5 years, was cut in half
with a chain saw. White lines indicate this tree’s first year
root systems from RootMaker® 4-pack and RootMaker®
3-gallon. Note the complimentary effect of each container
size with the next to create an extremely fibrous root system.

RootMaker®1, 3, and 5 Gallon (Patent#4,753,037)

Many nurseries shift to 1, 3, or 5 gallon RootMakers®, Rennerwood
generally in May, June, or early July, then allow these Tennesse Colongy, TX
seedlings to grow in this container until fall planting in
the field or the next shift. All models of our 1 (round or Oaks in nursery production in 3-gallon RootMakers®.
square) 3, and 5-gallon RootMakers® have many open-
ings designed to continue the air-root pruning process.

5
RootMaker® Grounder™ 5 gallon
Our 5-gallon Grounder™ is a unique option because it was
designed to be installed in the ground but may be used above
ground. This container requires a well-drained soil and can
be filled with either soil or a soilless mix.

Dense, fibrous root system from HIGH 5®.

Cinder Blocks
One of our most popular methods of liner production utilizes
concrete cinder block cavities. Our 5” bags slip snugly into
each cavity. Here, blow-over is eliminated and roots are insu-
lated from temperature extremes, and continue the root branch-
ing procedure either by root-tip-trapping or root constriction.

In this container, roots are insulated from temperature ex-

tremes and are directed to openings 3/32 inch in diameter.
Through these holes roots extend into the soil to absorb water
and nutrients and provide stability. Roots cannot expand
beyond the 3/32 of an inch which causes an accumulation
of sugars and starches inside the container. Root branch-
ing occurs behind this constriction. At harvest, small roots
outside the container are broken off. Once the Grounder™
is harvested, shift the plant into any larger RootMaker®, or
a cheap blow-molded pot to go to market, then reinstall the
Grounder™ while the hole is still open.

RootBuilder®II HIGH 5® and RB3™

RootBuilder®II is assembled around a root-directing bot-
tom disk to form 3, 5 (mix down several inches) or 7-gallon
(completely filled) containers. This innovation greatly assists
handling and creates an unparalleled fibrous root system.

Cedar Valley Liners

Ada, OK

patent pending

6
Installation of Knit Fabric containers is accomplished with an
auger of same or larger size. A depth control gauge on the
auger allows for a uniform 12 inch depth. It is important to
level the hole bottom to prevent a “bowl” effect. The container
is then set in the hole and held open with a plastic expandable
sleeve. Fill container with same field soil. At least one inch
of the Knit Fabric container should remain above soil line to
prevent roots escaping over the top. The system works better
when care is taken to keep the sides of the fabric container
straight when packing the backfilled soil.
Before transplanting in the landscape or a larger
container, the Knit Fabric is cut and torn off.

With the Knit Fabric container, small roots extend through

the fabric but are unable to expand, causing a constriction
which leads to root branching and an accumulation of en-
ergy. Water management is less complicated in the field
and the root system is protected from temperature extremes.
When a tree in the Knit Fabric container, generally sizes
8” to 24” (30”, 36”, 48” special order) is harvested, the
fabric is removed and, once planted, is provided the ben-
efit of having a great majority of the root system not only
intact, but well branched and equipped to establish into the
surrounding soil horizontally rather than just downward.

Although somewhat labor intensive during installation,

harvesting is almost a treat. For the smaller sizes (8 to 14”)
one person can spade around the outside of the container to
sever the small roots, rock the tree back and forth, and lift
the tree out of the ground. For larger container sizes (18”,
24”), “popping out” with the forks of a front end loader or
skid steer works well. Trees also can be harvested with a
double-loop of a nylon strap, when plants are dormant and
field conditions are moist.

Above, fabric was removed and

soil washed away to show root
branching and fibrous root sys-
tem poised for rapid regeneration.

Close inspection shows the callous

swelling on both sides of the con-
tainer.

This procedure has been tested on many species but is not recom-
mended for use on pecans or palms.

7
The RootTrapper® Soft-sided Container
The RootTrapper® provides the mobility of remaining above RootTrapper® II
ground and is generally 5 to 30-gallons at this shift. This is a (right)
black, spun-bonded fabric which has been laminated with a RootTrapper®
Grounder ™
white coating. This unique container stops circling roots and
(below)
continues to stimulate root branching by trapping root tips.

Patent Pending

Notice even mois-

ture distribution and
fibrous root system
in RootTrapper® II
(right).

RootTrapper® Pot-in-Pot insert.

Now available to custom fit your socket pot. Major root
escape is no longer a problem plus a fibrous root system is
created by root-tip-trapping. At harvest, roots are insulated
Above right, maples in production. Lower left, roots produced by from temperature extremes.
catalpa 14 days after transplanting from a RootTrapper®.
Tim Fisher Nursery
The white outer coating greatly reduces container temperature Gresham, OR
so roots do not die on the sunny side as with black plastic
containers. Water usage is also reduced as there are no large
drain holes or evaporative sides; water seeps out the hundreds
of holes created by the base stitching. When ready to harvest,
slit down the sides with a utility knife, peel off container, and
marvel at the root system. We have been able to use heavy
duty staples to rejoin the side wall together and reuse Root-
Trappers® for another season or two, at a slightly reduced
diameter. (Using Arrow stapler model P-35 with 3/8 inch staples,
or Stanley Bostich 9/16” C-ring fasteners).

RootTrapper® Options
The success of this container has led to other versions to
better suit some production needs. The RootTrapper®
“Grounder” has a base material which allows roots to
grow through and peg into the soil. This not only re-
duces blow-over but permits the plant to reclaim water and
fertilizer. The RootTrapper® II is not laminated on the
bottom 2 inches of the container sidewall. By allow-
ing better drainage near the base but not totally expos-
ing the container sidewall to rapid evaporation, moisture
and aeration for the entire soil column is improved. Left, standard pot-in-pot root escape. Right, roots branch inside
RootTrapper® insert.
8
Large Containers The bottom of the RootBuilder®II can be our RootBuilder®
By now the system has been in effect for at least 2 growing base material which allows roots to penetrate into the soil,
seasons and we are dealing with a tree/shrub of considerable pre-cut RootTrapper® discs, or other material that is imper-
size and a well-branched root system. One option is to plant vious to roots such as 6 mil. poly., or a spun-bonded weed-
and harvest in the field conventionally. Another option is the barrier type fabric which aides movement of the container.
RootTrapper® which comes in sizes up to 60 gallons for
continued benefits of root-tip-trapping for another season.
USA Patent #4,939,865 and other patents pending.

Athens Tree Farm

Athens, TX

RootTrappers® and RootBuilders® create thousands of active root

tips for a strong finish, such as with this 4” diameter oak.
A hole is at the tip of each outwardly projecting funnel on the
sidewall of this container. For instance, a 30-inch diameter,
18-inch sidewall RootBuilder®II container is 45 gallons and
RootTrappers® in nursery production (above). A 5-inch diam-
contains 1600 funnel openings. However, the sum of these
eter Chinese Pistache in a 60-gallon RootTrapper® (below).
openings is only 6% of the container sidewall so water loss is
minimal. As a result of the sidewall configuration, a portion
The RootBuilder®II Container of sidewall is shaded, reducing temperature and evapora-
The RootBuilder®II expandable plastic container is another tion. Roots are directed outward to these holes and forced
option. This highly successful, versatile container now has to branch yet again by air-root-pruning, thus completing the
been redesigned and is patent pending. It comes in a con- Whitcomb System®. If needed, the cable ties can be cut,
tinuous roll and can be cut to create the size of container you then an additional RootBuilder®II piece can be added to cre-
require. (Or pre-cut for sizes 15 to 70 gallon.) With a few ate a larger container. Ultimately, this is a superior tree with
inches of overlap, the container is assembled by connecting a superior root system, given the best chance for survival in
with cable ties, which do not block openings for air pruning. any landscape situation.

9
RootSkirts® Pot Licker™
Root death on the sun-exposed side of black plastic containers is By lining the side wall of a regular smooth container with Root-
a common but ignored occurrence. The RootSkirt® is a sleeve Trapper® technology, Pot Licker™ makes the best of a poor con-
of laminated fabric which slips over a plastic container to moder- tainer and creates a root-pruning container. Reusable.
ate root temperatures. During Oklahoma summers, root zones in
containers protected with RootSkirts® have been as much as 20
degrees cooler due to the white, light and heat-reflecting coating.
These insulating qualities also moderate temperatures in winter.

RootBarrier.
When installed in a trench, this unique fabric traps root tips and
works as a root barrier in landscaping. The 36” wide rolls are
installed with the “fuzzy” side toward the roots to be trapped.

Above,crapemyrtle with (left) and without (right) temperature

protection of a RootSkirt®.
RootCaps™
RootCaps™ reduce weeds without chemicals and reduce water
loss. With our media cover even under weedy conditions, one her-
bicide application has lasted one full growing season. RootCaps™
remain in place and are economical.

Chaps®
This stem protector has several unique qualities. The outside
lamination protects the base of young trees from herbicides.
Because Chaps® are white, they also reflect light, thus work-
ing with the soft inner fabric to insulate stems from temperature
extremes which can lead to excessive cell elongation and weak
growth. Also, unlike other rigid stem protectors, the soft in-
ner fabric of Chaps® prevents scuffing and scraping of stems.
RootSkirts® and
Chaps® are reusable and installation is completed with a stapler.
RootCaps™ can
even be combined as
a single unit, called
Cap and Gown ™ for
total container protec-
tion. Chaps®
in the field.

RootMakers® aren’t just containers for “holding” plants; they are intensive production tools. Once a fibrous root system has
been created, it is time for the next step or shift to a larger container. RootMaker® grown plants will have highly branched root
systems ready to shift sooner than conventional containers of similar size. The sooner this shift is made, the sooner your plant
has made an additional jump on the competition. RootMaker® plants don’t just survive, they thrive.

RootMaker® Products Co., LLC, P.O. Box 14553 Huntsville, AL 35815, phone (256) 882-3199, fax (256) 882-0423
1-800-824-3941, e-mail: [email protected], for more information: www.rootmaker.com
All products of Whitcomb System®, RootMaker®, RootBuilder®, RootTrapper®, RootSkirt®, Chaps® , and Up-with-Pots™ are
trademarks of Lacebark, Inc, an Oklahoma Corporation. www.lacebarkinc.com. © 2007 Lacebark Inc.
10
 RootMaker® Lacebark, Inc.
Lacebark, Inc. is a horticultural research company located near
Products Company, LLC Stillwater, Oklahoma. It was created in 1986 by Carl Whitcomb,
Certified Grower Program Ph.D. His research has led to such developments as Micromax®
micronutrient fertilizer, several patented container designs
(RootMaker®, RootBuilder®, etc.), and eight patented crapemyrtles
RootMaker® Certified Select (Dynamite®, Pink Velour®, Red Rocket®, Tightwad Red®), to name
• Trees or shrubs must have been grown from seed or a few. Currently, research continues on developing new cultivars
cuttings in RootMaker® propagation containers. of crapemyrtle, butterfly bush, redbuds, lilacs, river birch, elm, and
others. Research also addresses cultural factors in containers, the
field, and the landscape, from water chemistry, nutrition, improved
RootMaker® Certified Gold root systems, weed control, intercrops, and more. Whitcomb also
• Trees or shrubs must meet Certified Select requirements does consulting and speaking on a variety of topics, as time allows.
Lacebark, Inc. publishes Dr. Whitcomb’s four books.
plus,
• Complete at least a second step or shift to a larger
container from the line of RootMaker® products. This Know It and Grow It III: A Guide to the
Identification and Use of Landscape Plants
includes 1, 3, or 5-gallon RootMakers®, cinder block
(3rd Edition published 1999) 8.5” by 11”
bags, RootTrappers®, RootBuilder®II, or Knit format, over 800 pages and 2000 black and
Fabric field-growing containers. white photos, weighs over 6 pounds. Not a
pocket reference manual. Covers most of the
plants that can be grown east of the Rocky
RootMaker® Certified Platinum Mountains and from the Gulf Coast to Canada. Each plant has
• Trees or shrubs must meet Certified Gold requirements several photos plus a map showing geographic area to which it is
plus, adapted. Both common name and scientific name index makes it
especially easy to use. No line drawings and no botanical gibber-
• Complete at least a third step or shift by “finishing” in ish; blunt, and to the point. Price: $60.00 plus $12.00 shipping via
RootTrappers® or the RootBuilder®II Expandable UPS.
Above Ground Containers.
Plant Production in Containers II
Disqualifications: Revised 2003, Reprinted 2006 with new
• Plants grown in plug trays format and cover.Covers all aspects of pro-
ducing plants in the unique, man-made envi-
• Plants grown in smooth, conventional containers
ronment called a container, from propagat-
• Plants damaged by toxic levels of copper ing from seed or cuttings, to growth medium,
nutrition, watering, weed control, and more.
Over 460 pages, 8.5” by 11” format, hard
The RootMaker® Certified Grower Program is open back, many photos.
to commercial plant production nurseries or tree farms, Price: $69.00 plus $8.75 shipping via UPS.
whose primary business is providing top quality plant
material to another nursery, landscape contractor, or the Production of Landscape Plants II (in the
general public via retail garden centers. Cooperating field) (2nd Edition Published 2001) Covers
all aspects of field production, including bare
nurseries and tree farms agree to follow best manage-
root, balled-in-burlap, pot-in-pot, knit fabric
ment practices available in other aspects of plant growth in-ground containers, and more. Over 700
and health. RootMaker® Products Company will make pages, 6” by 9” format, hardback, many
available a list of best management practices for anyone photos.
seeking assistance. Price: $49.00 plus $8.75 shipping via UPS.

RootMaker® Products Company, LLC Establishment and Maintenance of

P.O. Box 14553 Landscape Plants (3rd Edition Published
Huntsville, AL 35815-0553 2006) Covers drainage, nutrition, and other
factors dealing with both the planting and
(800) 824-3941 fax (256) 882-0423
establishment and the long term care of
www.rootmaker.com landscape plants. 350 pages, 8.5” by 11”
Note: Individual results may vary, depending on the manner in which the
format, hardback, many photos.
product is used, and its location. Manufacturer assumes no responsibility to Price: $59.00 plus $8.75 shipping via UPS.
any product as used, and its location. Manufacturer assumes no responsibility
to any purchasers or users of RootMaker® products. No warranties, either Order books from:
expressed or implied, are made with respect to the RootMaker® products, Lacebark, Inc. P.O. Box 2383
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or Stillwater, OK 74075
fitness for a particular purpose, and Manufacturer expressly disclaims all fax 405-377-0131
warranties not stated herein. In no case shall Manufacturer’s liability exceed phone 405-377-3539
the purchase price of the RootMaker® products purchased.
www.lacebarkinc.com

11
Behind every fibrous tree root system
like this is a RootMaker®.