I think it's both a space issue as well as a root health issue. The taller the pot, the less the perched water table will affect, and potentially rot the roots.

The taller the pot, the better the drainage.

The taller the pot the lower the perched water table and the less the chance of root rot.

So if I buy a tree in a tall pot and plant it in the ground...a poorly drained local soil....my tree will have to take more time resetting it's root system to a shallow depth?

John,

Yes and no... first of all citrus in general tend to get their food and water from the first 18" of soil; so when planted in a hole the size of the tall bag/pot, the tree will produce new roots laterally and below. As a grower, I produce trees in tall, narrow bags/pots not so much because of space/land values; but because it is the most efficient and effective packages for the buyer to plant.

So should we grow our small trees in tall containers before transitioning them into large standard containers?

Good question!!! ? I have always been wondering that myself..I think they are called tree pots? Why don't they sell them if they are suppose to encourage good root development? I heard they were only good for temporary tree plantings until they get potted into the ground..

Good discussion. I don't have a comment, but am interested in the consensus. I guess my pots are a little taller than they are tall, but not by a great deal.