Terrestrial laser scanning and low magnetic field digitization data for coarse roots of 32-year-old Pinus ponderosa trees

This data publication includes digital scanning data of ten Pinus ponderosa root systems excavated in 2017. These trees were outplanted in the University of Idaho Experimental Forest in northern Idaho, USA in 1986 as one-year-old seedlings. We scanned each excavated root system using Low Magnetic Field Digitization and Terrestrial Laser Scanning, collecting data on every root greater than 1 centimeter (cm) diameter. Low Magnetic Field Digitization data include Cartesian coordinates for position of measurement points (taken every 2 to 5 cm along the root), root topology, and root segment diameters. Terrestrial Laser Scanning data include point cloud Cartesian coordinates.
The primary objective was to determine if the two scanning techniques would yield similar results for root architectural traits.
For more information about these data and this study, see Montagnoli et al. (2024).