it would live long or stand up
A plank.
No the roots cannot be trimmed without damaging the tree.
There would not be enough oxygen to breathe, and there would be much more erosion without tree roots to hold the soil. Many large animals would not be here, as they eat tree leaves and roots.
It would fall. The real question is, If there was no one around to hear it, would it make a sound?
How are they supposed to absorb water without any roots?
First, I try to not cut them. But if there would no option but without cuting i, I have to do that.
It is the small fiberous roots that get the nutrients and water from the soil, the larger roots are mainly for transporting the nutrients and water up to the tree. Each of the roots is responsible for a certain part of the tree. So if you were to cut off some roots, only the parts of the tree that they served would be affected.
The roots of a deodar cedar tree would likely not spread out any wider than the base of the tree. They would not spread out and make new trees.
Marcus Garvey
Yes because if the roots grew randomly then the plant would fall over or grow in a strange way (sideways) because the gravity is not helping support the tree to stand. Another reason is because the gravity is pulling the roots down, therefore the roots will be stronger and let the tree stand up straightly in direction to the centre of the earth.
a tree that is strong?
Most conifer roots are fibrous and do not make heavy roots that would cause a problem.
It always does, otherwise the stems and roots just dont grow wider. Or the plant/tree dies