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I stumbled across this today:
phys.org
A German research team is proposing using a mix of gravel, sand, and fertile soil to direct tree roots deeper to reach moisture at lower soil levels. But if you read closer toward the end of the story the tests for the paper were conducted with corn and the results are extrapolated to trees. They did state that study trials were underway with trees though.
New biomechanical method draws roots into deeper soil layers to resist drought stress
Tree roots are drawn towards moist soil, a phenomenon known as hydrotropism. Near surface watering therefore causes roots to stay close to the surface instead of growing deep into the ground. Biomechanical engineers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) developed a new, easily applied...
A German research team is proposing using a mix of gravel, sand, and fertile soil to direct tree roots deeper to reach moisture at lower soil levels. But if you read closer toward the end of the story the tests for the paper were conducted with corn and the results are extrapolated to trees. They did state that study trials were underway with trees though.