What do root grafts in trees facilitate?

Root grafts in trees primarily facilitate the spread of diseases. When trees are connected through their root systems, pathogens can easily move between trees, allowing diseases to spread rapidly within a group of interconnected plants. This is particularly concerning in situations where one tree in the group becomes infected; if it is connected to others through root grafts, those trees can also become vulnerable to the same pathogens.

While root grafts can have various effects on plant health, such as influencing nutrient transfer and the sharing of resources, the context of the question pertained specifically to the implications of root grafting related to disease spread. The establishment of grafts among tree roots can therefore act as a conduit for diseases, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing tree health in areas where trees are closely interlinked by their root systems.