Terrestrial laser scanning and low magnetic field digitization yield similar architectural coarse root traits for 32-year-old Pinus ponderosa trees.

We believe that TLS and QSM could facilitate rapid data collection, perhaps in situ, while providing quantitative accuracy, especially at the total root system level. If more detailed measures of root system architecture are desired, a TLS method would benefit from additional scans at differing perspectives, avoiding gravitational displacement to the extent possible, while subsampling roots by hand to calibrate and validate QSM models. Despite some unresolved logistical challenges, our results suggest that future use of TLS may hold promise for quantifying tree root system architecture in a rapid, replicable manner.