Rule of thumb for root growth?

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P

prr

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I have been marveling at my Idaho Locust. Its about 15 feet tall (planted it last year), and its been blooming for a few weeks now, even though I haven't watered it. I have just fixed a leek in a sprinkler line some 20 feet away and I'm thinking that its roots penetrated that far, to get water (I have some old roses that bloomed without me watering them, and I'm thinking for the same reason).

Is there a rule of thumb about how long roots go? I think I recall hearing that roots were twice as long as the plant is tall, or something like that. Does that hold for trees and shrubs? Or is it different for each plant species?
 
I would have to get into the book on that one. Different trees have different root formations. Our firs are not deep-rooted and depend on other firs in close proximity to help stabilize them in heavy winds. Oaks, I believe, are deep-rooted and can stand alone and withstand much.
 
OK, so there really isn't a rule of the thumb like what I mentioned?

Seeing plants flower and bloom so far away from a leak, kind of intrigued me.
 
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