Anchor root

anchor root
A large root serving mainly to hold a plant in place in the soil.
GardenWeb Glossary of Botanical Terms
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Anchor root A large root that holds a plant in a physical soil mass.
Androecium Stamens of a flower, as a unit.
Annual A plant that germinates, grows, flowers, produces seeds in one growing season.

Conifers generally don't require staking, but there are three exceptions: Those used in very windy locations may need to be staked, but for no more than a year, long enough for anchor roots to develop sufficiently to support the plants.

In fact, research has shown that trees allowed to sway naturally in the wind develop more anchor roots, produce wider trunks and develop more reaction wood (wood that withstands natural flexing) than trees that have been rigidly staked.