root biomass decreased exponentially in the plantation at both coastal and Piedmont locations. At the coastal natural forest,we observed a dense network of shallow lateral roots growing at 10-40 cm depth connected to sinker roots. At the Piedmont natural hardwood forest, a dimorphic root profile was evident represented by a shallow and a deep system of lateral root. Total fine root biomass at the managed Piedmont and coastal sites was 25-30% lower than at the natural forests . Root to leaf area index was lower at both pine plantations with on average 1.42 of root area for each square meter of transpiring leaf surface.