Root Death Cycle
Relationships decay without ongoing investment.
Fine roots (the tiny absorptive roots that actually pull water and nutrients) live for weeks to months in tropical species, or up to 1-2 years in some temperate conifers, then die and are replaced. A tree might maintain 10 million fine root tips, but each individual tip is ephemeral.
Plants use rapid growth, rapid turnover, constant replacement. The fine root system is rebuilt every growing season. This allows the plant to adjust root architecture to current conditions - more roots where water/nutrients are abundant, fewer where they're scarce.
The dead roots become organic matter, feeding soil microbes and eventually releasing nutrients. The plant effectively pre-pays the soil system that will later provide nutrients.
Business Application of Root Death Cycle
Infrastructure isn't build-once. Relationships decay without ongoing investment. Knowledge systems become obsolete. Culture drifts without reinforcement. Organizations must budget 10-15% of capacity for root maintenance even during mature phases.