I've heard that often, particularly from Ryan Neil. Here is a visual proof. It's a pine uprooted by hurricane Michael with most of the roots exposed. The roots were equal to all the branches above.
That's why I prefer collecting pines from damp forest floors instead of sandy areas; the roots stay in the upper soil layer instead of sending down a huge taproot.
That's why I prefer collecting pines from damp forest floors instead of sandy areas; the roots stay in the upper soil layer instead of sending down a huge taproot.
The tree in the picture is from a sandy beach. there is no big tap root either. I saw the same thing for many many trees after hurricane Michael in Florida.