wrote in message
ups.com...
Brian wrote:


The foliage of all plants directs water flow to where it is most
needed.

Even if this were true, the total quantity of water which reaches the
place where it is most needed is surely reduced by foliage. So in
dry weather, or when the amount of water available is otherwise
limited, there may still be good reason to deliver water directly to
where it is most needed in the soil, rather than delivering it as
run-off from the foliage.

Ken]
~~~~~~~~
The foliage cannot reduce the water reaching the soil. The leaves direct
the water to the root hairs. It migt be easier to think that the new roots
,with their hairs, grow towards the readily available water~~ which is where
the leaves have deposited it. Directly under a tree can be totally dry but
the rain actually falls/drains to where the roots have their absorption
zone. Because it is dry under the tree does not mean that less is reaching
the tree. Just that all the rain is being directed to where needed.
Best Wishes Brian.