Several years ago, Hurricane Isobel wreaked vast amounts of havoc up and down the East Coast, especially in the Southeast, resulting in tremendous damage to lives and property. Specifically, its violent winds touched me personally by uprooting the only tree in the front yard of my parent’s home in Virginia. This was the scene that greeted my parents when they returned from mandatory evacuation:
It looked as if this very large tree had been picked up and placed on its side, and along the way it decided to wrench all the above ground power lines from the house. A wide deep hole had been created, exposing the soft loose fertile foundation. Every tree root was fully exposed and extended 12 feet horizontally in all directions.
A Very Special Tree
This was a very special tree, for my father had personally planted it when we moved into our newly built home more than 40 years ago. Needless to say, my parents are more devastated by the loss of that tree than they are about any other damage to their property. Why? Because they thought the tree was “rooted for life”. They were under the impression that these roots grew strong and deep.
They believed that since the tree had withstood several tropical storms and hurricanes in the past, that this one would be no exception. After all, trees are held in place by anchors called roots, and anchors by definition fasten, secure, affix, and attach things to last. But, the sureness of the anchors depends on how the soil has been prepared and the state of the foundation.
A Word About Roots
Roots are not glamorous They are gnarly, dirty, and not very attractive. We would prefer to focus on the beauty, strength, and grace of the tree itself, rather than contemplate its roots. But we have to consider the roots so that the tree will grow.
The root system of a tree performs many vital functions. In winter, it is a storehouse for essential food reserves needed by the tree to produce spring foliage.
Roots absorb and transport water and minerals from the soil to the rest of the tree. They fasten the portion of the tree above ground to the foundation below.
The first step in planting a tree that will grow strong and tall and produce beautiful fruit is to pay attention to the roots by giving them proper nutrients, light, and protection from root disease. A healthy root environment consists of adequate growing space, well-conditioned soil, and sufficient water and oxygen.
Roots grow constantly, increasing in size horizontally. They are predominantly located in the top 6 to 24 inches of the soil and usually do not grow deeper than 3 to 7 feet. A natural balance exists between the roots where water is collected and the top of the tree where water is consumed and dispensed to the atmosphere.
Understanding Your Career Roots
Understanding your career roots will make all the difference in the jobs you take and the career direction you pursue.
Career roots grow not by internal striving, but by continuous response to certain external stimuli (the job market and business environment).
Slowly, surely, and with quiet persistence, a career begins with the first job seedling, then grows through promotions to become a sapling, and then by growing steadily and surely, it matures into a full-fledged career.
Even as your career roots mature and deepen, you should never outgrow the need to re-evaluate and manage them.
